Photography in the Museum

The main task for any museum is the preservation and study of cultural items and their presentation to visitors - providing access to these items. Providing photographic opportunities to museum visitors is not one of the museum's main tasks.

Furthermore, in connection with photography the museum has an additional responsibility in that visitors must follow restrictions on photography - should not use flash, photograph storage areas or temporary exhibitions.

Objective factors make bans on photographing museum items necessary: the state of museum items; obligations to partners as part of organising temporary exhibitions; security of artefacts etc.

Safe and comfortable conditions for visiting the museum that provide an appropriate level of security and protection for museum items is only possible by implementing a complete ban on photography in the museum.

However, the State Hermitage Museum does give way to society's current demand and permits photography within the museum by individuals on a remunerative basis.

Museums have the right to charge for services including photographic privileges under article 52 of the Fundamental Legislative Principles on Culture of the Russian Federation, approved by the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation 09.10.1992 N 3612-1. In accordance with this legislation the prices (rates) for paid services and products, including ticket prices, for cultural organisations are determined independently by the organisation.

In accordance with point 18 of the Charter of the Federal State Budget for the State Hermitage Museum Cultural Establishment, approved by Russian Government Order No. 984 of 29.11.2011, the State Hermitage Museum has the right to provide services for photographing museum items in a manner established by Russian Federation legislation.

In accordance with the norms of current legislation the State Hermitage Museum has issued Instruction No. 149 of 10.04.2012 "On Prices for Entry Tickets, Visitor Services and Excursions for Visitors of the State Hermitage Museum", which stipulates the cost of a ticket granting visitors the right to take amateur photographs and video as 200 roubles.

Since photography is not obligatory while visiting the museum, the State Hermitage Museum does not include the cost of photography as part of the entry ticket to avoid the imposition of such services on visitors.