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Free and Discounted Admissions Opportunities

The Phillips Collection offers a variety of free and discounted admission opportunities. Learn more

The Building

The Phillips Collection building comprises the original Phillips House built in 1897 and two major additions: the Goh Annex, built in 1960 and enlarged in 1989, and the Sant Building, opened in 2006.

Download the Visitor Guide & Map

Visitor Conduct

The Phillips Collection is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and comfortable environment for our staff and visitors. Please refrain from disorderly or disruptive conduct that interferes with or distracts from other visitors’ enjoyment of the museum.

By redeeming tickets, visitors certify that they will comply with all visitor guidelines. The Phillips Collection reserves the right to refuse or revoke the admission of any visitor whose conduct violates these guidelines.

Visitor Guidelines

The health and safety of our guests, staff, and community is our priority. The Phillips Collection continues to monitor and follow local and national health recommendations. We reserve the right to implement health and safety measures to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. 

  • Face masks are welcome, but not required. 
  • Please stay at home if you are feeling sick. Please do not visit the museum if you have a fever or any covid-19 symptoms, have tested positive for covid-19 within the past 14 days, or have had close contact with anyone who is confirmed or is suspected of having covid-19.
  • Contactless Check-in: Ticketing can be completed by advance reservation for non-members, emailed to guests, and scanned for entry at a safe distance. 
  • Enhanced Cleaning Procedures: There is regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces. Bathrooms are cleaned frequently throughout the day.
  • Hand Sanitizer Stations: Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the museum for visitor and staff use. 
  • Enhanced Ventilation: Our ventilation and climate control systems circulate outside air using enhanced filtration.
  • Phillips Collection Staff: Please follow instructions from Phillips Collection staff during your visit.

An inherent risk of exposure to covid-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to covid-19 during your visit to The Phillips Collection. Those visiting the Phillips do so at their own risk of such exposure.

Please note our updated bag policy as of December 2023.

  • All bags are subject to search. 
  • All bags (including backpacks, totes, purses, large bags, and bulky items) larger than 11 x 15 x 5 in. must be checked at our secured coat check. Exception: For those with a medical exception or diaper bag, please request a special tag from coat check and your bag will be allowed into the museum. 
  • No bags of any kind may be worn on the back; bags must be worn on the front or side of your body at all times. 
  • All contents must be secured inside the bag; nothing can be worn in any external pockets or holders outside of a bag or pants pockets (like cargo pants pockets). 
  • The bag may not contain any weapons or other prohibited items, including paint, crayons, or any item that may damage the art or present a risk to other guests. Exception: Umbrellas and empty liquid bottles may be secured inside a bag. 

The Phillips Collection is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Information Services

Phillips staff can help with directions and also provide information about the museum. 

Mobile Phones

Please silence your mobile devices and limit conversation in the galleries. For free Wi-Fi during your visit, join “Phillips”.

Photography

Visitors are encouraged to take non-flash photos for non-commercial use of the permanent collection and special exhibitions, unless otherwise noted. Photography is not permitted in the Rothko Room. Selfie sticks, video cameras, and tripods are not permitted.

Protecting the Art

To enjoy the museum and keep artworks safe, please: 

  • Look, but do not touch the artwork. Please keep a two-foot distance.
  • Please carry purses and small backpacks on the front of the body.
  • Do not bring food or drinks into the museum.
Sketching

Sketching in the galleries is permitted with #2 pencil.

Vradenburg Shop & Café

Shop: The shop is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm, no ticket required. The shop is also open 24/7 online

Café: Bead Furst Cafe is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm, no ticket required. Enjoy discounts and special offers from our partner restaurants nearby.


Daily Spotlight Talks at 1 & 1:30 pm

Dive deep into a single work of art during a Daily Spotlight Talk with a Phillips Educator. Included with admission. Meet in front of the shop and cafe.


Digital Guide + Audio Tours

Download the free Bloomberg Connects mobile app before your visit or in the galleries to use the exhibition audio guide. Look for the Bloomberg Connects icon on the artwork labels. Don’t forget to bring earphones!


Group Experiences

The Phillips Collection offers tours for adult and university groups and school groups.


For Families

Learn more about ways to enhance your experience with younger visitors.

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that the museum’s facilities, services, exhibitions, and programs comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. We make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal physical and communications access, as defined by federal law.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please call 202.387.2151 or email reservations@phillipscollection.org in advance of your visit. 

Sensory Bags (Now Piloting)

The Phillips Collection is currently piloting three sensory bags from April 30-June 2. Each bag contains a pair of headphones, a sensory map, a magnifying glass, tactile pieces, a sensory buddy and activity prompts, sunglasses, and a guide to the materials. The bags are available for all guests, but have been designed for children with sensory sensitives, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and fidgeting tendencies. Please take the survey to share feedback about the bag.

Pick up a bag at the Guest Services desk, explore the museum, and return it before you leave.

The sensory bags were ideated by our Spring DEAI Intern as part of the Phillips's efforts to expand its accessibility resources and help individuals with sensory sensitivities feel more welcome. During this process, she conducted research on best practices through organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums, Autism in Museums, SEND In Museums, Kids in Museums UK, studies in museum journals, and articles written by autism experts. Sensory bags are provided by museums such as the Ringling Art Museum in Florida, Illinois Children’s Discovery Museum, British Postal Museum, British Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Guggenheim Museum. We hope to be able to collaborate with more local organizations after this trial period.

Wheelchairs

All galleries and public facilities of the museum are wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs is available at the coat check. Elevators are available throughout the museum; a wheelchair lift is also available between Goh Annex Floor 3 and the bridge walkway to House Floor 2U. Please see a museum assistant for access to the lift. The Center for Art and Knowledge also has an elevator available for its public programs.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome. Please refer to the ADA guidelines regarding service animals for more information.

Large Print Wall Text

Large print wall text is available for special exhibitions.

ASL Interpreter + Assistive Listening Devices

American Sign Language and a limited number of assistive listening devices for programs and tours are offered by request.

Watch The Phillips in ASL video series for an introduction to the museum

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Self-Guides

Use our self-guides to explore the collection, in the galleries or online.

The Phillips Plays

Scavenger Hunt

Download the free app to access guides to The Phillips Collection as well as a growing roster of international cultural institutions

Bloomberg Connects

A grid of 8 squares with colorful shapes in them on a pink background

What is collecting?

Explore the concept of museum collections through these games and activities.

Start playing