Does anyone have a policy for visiting artists who want to set up easels and copy works of art that are in the galleries?

Our museum regularly receives requests from both artists as well as art classes connected with the university to come in and copy works that are exhibited in our galleries as well as ones in our collections that are not currently on display.  I have been asked to draft a proposal to accomodate both artists and students and would appreciate any suggestions or experiences that you would like to share. I am especially concerned with the following items:

         * solvents and mediums allowed and not allowed in the galleries
                     (i.e. should turpentine be allowed or even use of 
                       watercolors, why or why not?)

         * has anyone allowed a small art class of advanced students to                                 come in and paint, and how is that handled?

         * are there any problems with artists who wish to only sketch a                                  work from a borrowed exhibit?

         * has anyone successfully accomodated an artist who wished to                      copy a work held in storage and not currently displayed?

         * for those museums that are unable to provide storage space for                       the copyist's wet canvas as well as the equipment such as                       easels, ect  how is this managed?


You may respond directly to me, or to the Museum-L list, or even fax/mail copies of your museum's copying policy. I would appreciate anything that you can send my way.


Thanks for your help,

Holly Chase
Assistant Registrar
Museum of Art, Brigham Young University

e-mail: [log in to unmask]
FAX:  801-378-8222