Things to Know Before Your Visit

Do we need to purchase or reserve tickets in advance?

Yes, all guests, including members, are required to reserve tickets online in advance 

Where do I park?

Free and accessible parking is located both on the main surface lot and in the underground parking garage.

• Guests can find accessible parking spots in a smaller parking lot just outside of the Welcome Center. Accessible spots are also available in the main lot and in the underground garage, which features an indoor tunnel and elevator to access the main floor of the Welcome Center.

• Bus parking is available upon request on a first come first served basis by checking in with Guest Experience staff upon arrival to the Newfields Campus. Due to limited parking capacities, buses may need to park off site for the duration of the visit. Bus pick up and drop off is available in the designated loading zone directly in front of the Welcome Center.

Can I bring my backpack or large bag?

Help us protect the art by leaving any backpacks or bags larger than 11x15x6 inches in your car or at home. Backpacks and large bags are not permitted to be worn on your back, while inside the IMA Galleries. Have an oversized diaper bag or medical bag? Please see a Newfields staff member upon arrival for accommodations. 

Can we bring in food and beverage?

YES! You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages to Newfields for picnics outside with the exception of those attending Harvest or Winterlights. Bottled water is welcome in the IMA Galleries, but please refrain from bringing food into the IMA Galleries. If you prefer not to pack a lunch, The Café is open Tuesday through Sunday. 

Will you accept cash onsite?

Newfields is currently a cashless campus. Credit or debit cards are the only form of payment accepted at culinary pop ups, Garden Terrace, The Café and The Museum & Garden Shop. Please purchase your general admission tickets online ahead of time, or use your phone to purchase tickets on-site. 

Newfields strives to make its buildings and campus, collections, exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to each and every guest. The staff and volunteers of Newfields are committed to providing the highest quality visit for everyone. Whether guests want to tour the world-renowned collection of art, wander through the historic Garden, or experience nature in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, Newfields is committed to providing high-quality service and ensuring everyone has a wonderful experience during their visit. 

While the information here provides a general overview of accessibility features, we encourage you to contact 317-923-1331 or our Accessibility Taskforce in advance of your visit with any questions or specific needs.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located on Floor 1 and in The Tobias Theater inside the Indianapolis Museum of Art, as well as Lilly House, Randolph H. Deer Special Events Pavilion, and seasonally in the Ruth Lilly Visitors Pavilion in Fairbanks Park. 

Service Animals

Service dogs or service dogs-in-training are welcome to visit all buildings and The Garden on the Newfields campus, and also the Miller House and Garden located in Columbus, Indiana. The service dog must be under physical or voice control of the guest at all times. 

Emotional support, comfort, and companionship are not qualified as service tasks for a person with a disability. Therapy dogs are also not considered service dogs. The ADA also acknowledges only dogs as service but exceptions can be made for miniature horses. Same rules apply to miniature horses, as long as the weight or size of the horse does not pose any issue of safely operating the museum. 

Mobility

Free indoor wheelchairs and rollators are available at coat check on Floor 1.

Access Pass

The Access Pass program enables qualified families to purchase admission to participating Access Pass partners for $2 per family member per visit, for up to two adults and dependent youth living in the household. The Access Pass program is a partnership amongst many Indianapolis cultural destinations. 

To enroll in or renew an existing Access Pass, qualifying families can apply online through The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Once enrolled, you must come to the Information Tent or Desk to register the pass with Newfields. Once registered, Access Pass holders will be able to purchase tickets online.  

Learn more about the Access Pass

Free First Thursday

Newfields offers free admission in the evening of the first Thursday of the month. To help us comply with city and state guidelines, an advance ticket is required. 

• Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
• Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
• Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, April 4, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  
• Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.   
• Thursday, June 6, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  
• Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Thursday, December 5, 2024 -  11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Marion County Students

Marion County students, in grades K-12, receive free admission to campus if visiting for a school assignment.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders must use promo code “MOU2023” during online checkout to reserve their complimentary admission. Cardholder is required to present their ticket confirmation, active credit or debit card and photo ID upon arrival. Additional guests are required to purchase tickets separately.

Museum hours and participation varies. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Not to be combined with other offers.

Ticket Distribution

Throughout the seasons, we provide complimentary admission tickets to community partners inviting our neighbors to visit Newfields for programs for families and a chance to engage with art and nature. 

We love to see guests having a great time at Newfields. To help make sure your visit is outstanding, we’ve compiled a list of tips and other helpful information. If we can assist in any additional way, please feel free to contact us at 317-923-1331. 

Upon Arrival

• Free parking is available in the main surface lot. Bus parking spots are also available in the main lot. 
• We look forward to greeting you inside our Welcome Center. Start your visit here. Welcome Center staff will scan your ticket, answer questions about your membership, talk about daily tours, or share their favorite program of the day. 
• Free WiFi is available throughout the Museum building and Lilly House. If you are interested in the schedule of the day visit our calendar. 
• The Clowes Pavilion is now open for guests to enjoy. 

Help Us Protect the Art

• We understand the desire to touch works of art that intrigue you. You can help us preserve the art by not touching, even the smallest touch can irreparably harm the works. We do have some interactive works on every floor, be sure to ask a docent for locations. 
• In order to provide a safe and worry-free environment for our staff, guests, and art, bags larger than 11x15x6 inches are not permitted and backpacks are prohibited.  Exceptions will be made for diaper bags and medical bags upon Security verification.  See a Newfields Associate for assistance. 
• Water bottles with screw-top lids are permitted inside the galleries and you’ll find drinking fountains on every floor. However, to keep works of art pristine, food, other beverages, and chewing gum are not allowed inside the galleries. Feel free to enjoy refreshments in The Café on Floor 1 or the Beer Garden outside the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse. 
• We love to see the personal photographs guests share of their visits. Join the conversation and use the #DiscoverNewfields and we might just share your picture on our social media platforms. Since light can damage works of art—and disturb other guests–please confirm that your flash is off. To keep works of art safe and to protect the experience of other guests, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed inside the galleries, Lilly House, and The Miller House. For more information, click here. 
• To arrange a formal or commercial shoot please see our Photography Policy and email to photopass@discovernewfields.org. 

Behavior Policy

To ensure that all guests have a comfortable and safe experience, please observe the following guidelines:

• Firearms and other weapons are not allowed on Newfields property.
• Newfields is a smoke-free environment.
• To protect the objects, please do not lean on cases, sculptures, or walls
• Water bottles with lids are permitted inside the IMA Galleries. However, to keep works of art pristine, food, other beverages, and chewing gum are not allowed inside the IMA Galleries.
• Guests 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• While we love animals, pets are not allowed inside the IMA Galleries or The Garden. Leashed pets are welcome in Fairbanks Park.
• Service dogs are welcome at Newfields. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not considered service animals under the guidelines of the ADA.                                     

For safety purposes, guests are subject to visual inspection (including the use of metal detectors) of person, parcels, bags, containers and/or clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Guests may refuse inspections, however Newfields management reserves the right to refuse entry.

Planning a Visit with Children

• Newfields is a great place to bring the kids for a fun-filled family day. Strollers are available to borrow on Floor 1. Also on Floor 1 are Family Restrooms and a nursing mother’s room. Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are allowed in all spaces at Newfields, including the galleries. 
• Newfields welcomes all visitors and strives to be accessible to everyone.  
• Feeling inspired by the art? Feel free to sketch with pencil in notebooks 11 x 14 inches or smaller. Colored pencils and ink pens are not allowed in the galleries, except in designated areas. 
• Have you lost something? Check with our Welcome Desk to see if your item may have been turned in or call 317-923-1331 ext. 175. 

Amenities

• The Café and The Museum & Garden Shop are located on Floor 1 of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Be sure to check out our Shop & Eat tab for hours, menus, prices, and other goodies. 
• Drinking fountains are on all gallery levels, on Floor 1, at both entrances to Randolph H. Deer Special Events Pavilion, and outside near The Garden for Everyone. 
• Bike racks are located in the underground and surface parking lots, near the Garden for Everyone, and on both sides of the Waller Bridge next to the Canal Towpath. 
• Free indoor stroller(s) are available at coat check on Floor 1. 

Pet Policy

• Pets are not allowed in The Museum or The Garden. Guests who rely on service animals or who train service animals may bring them into The Museum and must comply with the provisions outlined in our Service Dog Policy. 
• Leashed dogs are allowed at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. 
• Guest are asked to clean up after their Service Animal and dispose of any waste in a marked trash receptacle. 
• Please do not leave your dog in your car when visiting the Newfields campus. 

Photography

Photography must be conducted without disruption to Museum operations or limitation to the accessibility of exhibitions, entrances/exits, doorways, pathways and high traffic areas. 

• To help preserve the outdoor sculptures, entering, climbing or standing on any water features or fountains is prohibited. Do not climb, lean or sit on any artworks or place props or equipment on them. 
• Flash photography, tripods, monopods (including selfie sticks) and other photographic equipment are not permitted inside Newfields buildings. 
• The use of drones is not permitted at Newfields. 
• Photography is permitted for private, non-commercial use only. Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, distributed or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner. 
• Unless otherwise noted, photography of temporary exhibitions or borrowed works of art is not permitted. 
• All photography and video shoots on the Newfields campus require the photographer obtains a single day photography pass. 
• More detailed information can be found on our Photography Policies page.