Image Use Requests

The New York State Museum's holdings include over 15 million artifacts, specimens, photographs, and related materials. 

The New York State Museum assumes that an order for a photographic or digital image of any item in the collection is for personal use only. If the image is to be publicly distributed in any form or medium – print, photocopy, digital, film, etc. – special permission fees (see below) will apply and the New York State Museum must be formally and prominently credited.

Please allow at least 3 weeks for delivery, or 6 weeks if new studio photography is required. Requests are generally filled in order of receipt. Turnaround time depends on workload and the size of the order. Every effort will be made to honor deadlines.

All work is billed to the customer when the completed order is shipped. Payment is due upon receipt. All sales are final. Fees and charges are subject to change without notice.

Fees and Publication Usage

  • Image Fees

    Digital Images
    Orders for digital images must specify use format (digital or print). For digital usage, we provide a JPEG no larger than 1000 x 750 pixels. For print usage, we provide one TIFF image for the specified print size at 300 dpi.

    • Copy of existing digital image file: no charge
    • Digital scan from existing print, transparency or slide, or from original flat artwork: $ 25.00 each
    • New studio photography: $40.00 each

     

    Black-and-White and Color Prints

    We use commercial processors for print production, so processing fees are subject to change.
    Specify 4 x 6, 5 x 7, or 8 x 10 inch size.

    • Black-and-white print from existing negative: Quoted on request
    • Color print from existing slide, transparency, or negative: Quoted on request

     

    New studio photography, including processing (4 x 6 print):

    • Black-and-white, flat art: $30.00 each
    • Black-and-white, 3-dimensional object: $40.00 each
    • Color, flat art: $45.00 each
    • Color, 3-dimensional object: $60.00

     

    Photocopies (electrostatic)

    • Copy of existing document, 8.5 x 11 inch format: No charge for first 10 pages, then $0.25 per page
    • Copy of existing oversize document, 11 x 17 inch format: $1.00 per page

     

    SHIPPING FEES
    If images are requested via CD/DVD:

    Packaging: $5.00 
    Domestic postage: Current rate, $6.50 minimum 
    International postage: Current rate, $15.00 minimum

  • Permission to Publish

     

    Any reproduction of images distributed by the New York State Museum, in any form or medium—print, film, digital, photographic, etc.—for whatever purpose requires the Museum's permission. Permission must be requested in writing using our Request for Permission to Publish form (see link below).

    The Museum normally grants permission for one-time, non-exclusive use in one publication with U.S., Canadian, and World Rights only for the purpose applied for in writing by the purchaser on the Request for Permission to Publish form. A new Request for Permission to Publish form must be submitted for reprints and new additions. In authorizing the publication of an image, the New York State Museum does not surrender its own right, title ownership or right to publish or to grant permission to others to do so.

    Permission to publish an image provided by the Museum of an object in the Museum’s collections is ordinarily at the discretion of the Curator of the particular collection. In some cases (such as with contemporary art work where the artist has retained copyright of the object), third-party permissions may be required as well; obtaining any third-party permission, if needed, is the responsibility of the user. 

    Each item must carry a credit line exactly as provided. The Museum ordinarily requests two copies of a work that incorporates material from its collection. These and other conditions governing reproduction of images provided by the Museum are listed in our Rights and Reproduction Conditions form.

    For permission to publish, contact: 
    Images & Permissions 
    New York State Museum 
    3140 Cultural Education Center
    Albany, NY 12230
    Fax: (518) 486-2034 
    E-Mail: nysmimagereq@nysed.gov

    Completed Request forms may be sent to the Museum via e-mail, fax, or surface mail. E-mail is preferred; the other methods may result in delays.

  • Publishing Fees

    • Publication fees help make possible the continued growth and care of our collections. Ordinarily a fee will be charged for publication, according to the schedule below. This fee is for one-time, non-exclusive use in one publication with U.S., Canadian, and World Rights only for the purpose applied for in writing by the purchaser. It applies to all publication formats, including print, film, and digital.

      • Non-profit venture (per image): $50.00
      • For-profit commercial venture (per image): $200.00

    All image orders must be submitted using our Image Request form. 
    Completed Request forms may be sent to the Museum via e-mail, fax, or surface mail. E-mail is preferred; the other methods may result in delays.

    Any reproduction of images distributed by the New York State Museum, in any form or medium—print, film, digital, photographic, etc.—for whatever purpose requires the Museum's permission.

All image orders must be submitted using our Image Request form. 
Completed Request forms may be sent to the Museum via e-mail, fax, or surface mail. E-mail is preferred; the other methods may result in delays.

Any reproduction of images distributed by the New York State Museum, in any form or medium—print, film, digital, photographic, etc.—for whatever purpose requires the Museum's permission.

Forms and Supporting Documentation

NYSM Image Request Form (50.63 KB)
Permission to Publish Request Form (66.02 KB)
NYSM Rights and Reproduction Conditions (29.32 KB)

To Place an Order Contact:

Images & Permissions
New York State Museum
3140 Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Fax: (518) 486-2034 
nysmimagereq@nysed.gov