Open letter to the Wexner Center for the Arts

Dear Wexner Center for the Arts,

Thank you for serving the arts community and Columbus. I’ve been to a few exhibits, and I’ve been impressed every time I go.

But one thing bugs me. Your ban on personal photography. Why can’t I take pictures to preserve my memory of my visits, especially visits with my kids? I take my camera with me everywhere when I’m with my kids. When I go to the Zoo. Snap. When I’m at a baseball game. Snap. When I’m at COSI. Snap.

When I’m at the Wex. No Snap.

That gives me a giant :(

So I can understand your ban if only for commercial purposes. You see, even the Metropolitan Museum of Art allows non-commercial photography.

Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only in the Museum’s galleries devoted to the permanent collection. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as “No Photography”; works of art on loan from private collections or other institutions may not be photographed. The use of flash is prohibited at all times and in all galleries. Movie and video cameras are prohibited. Tripods are allowed Wednesday through Friday, and only with a permit issued by the Information Desk in the Great Hall.

But the Wex says:

Please note: You will be asked to check backpacks, large purses and other large bags, umbrellas, and cameras or recording devices before entering the galleries.

That really bothers me. So I’m putting up some protest art on this page. I hope you listen.

As a side note, think of the social media buzz you are missing out by not allowing us to snap a picture and show our network of all the cool things going on inside the Wex.

Please Wexner, allow for non-commercial photography in the Wex. kthxbai

Oh snap!

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  • I would have to agree with Alvin. You would cast a wider net by allowing non-commercial photo's. If this does not work, let the artist decide.
  • I agree. Another organization that doesn't understand that 99.99% of their visitors don't want to make a buck off them. And cameras are getting increasingly difficult to isolate. Picture taking is part of the way we experience.

  • wyliemac
    Someone on twitter pointed out that the Wex is pretty much all special exhibits, which would render their policy equal to the Met.

    Even so, I do get the reason for the policy. But I don't agree with it. You are right that picture taking is part of the way we experience. It's too bad they hamper it with their policies.
  • Hi,

    I try to devote focused periods of time to writing projects (maybe yours!), so I only check email periodically. I should be able to get back to you fairly soon, but if you need my attention immediately, you can reach me here:

    http://awayfind.com/randymurray

    Be sure to store this link with my contact information in case of an emergency.

    Randy Murray

    --

    Opt out of future auto-replies: http://orchant.awayfind.com/oo?h=a65a6041&e=42911385
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