The following study centers offer access to specialized research material and to the Museum’s collections. Each study center has its own focus and policies. For general queries about works in the Museum collection, or if you do not know where to begin your research, please contact the Library.

Architecture and Design Study Center

The Lily Auchincloss Study Center for Architecture and Design allows researchers access to reference materials related to the Museum’s collection of architectural drawings, models, and photographs, as well as design objects, graphics, and the Mies van der Rohe Archive. The Study Center is open by appointment only. For more information, email [email protected].

Drawings and Prints Study Center

At the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Drawings and Prints Study Center, researchers can access the Museum’s extensive collection of works on paper, including drawings, prints, illustrated books, artist’s books, and multiples. Curatorial files on works may also be available for consultation. Open to individuals and class visits by appointment only, Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00–3:30 p.m. To request an appointment, please fill out the online form and review visit guidelines. We welcome your questions and are happy to provide additional information. Please reach out to [email protected] to let us know how we can best assist you.

Painting and Sculpture Study Center

The Joseph and Sylvia Slifka Painting and Sculpture Study Center maintains files on more than 4,000 paintings and sculptures in the Museum’s collection. Material on individual works may include archival photographs, label and catalog texts, press clippings, press releases, and correspondence. Open by appointment only, Wednesday and Thursday, 1:00–4:00 p.m. To request an appointment or send an inquiry please fill out the online form and review the Study Center guidelines.

Photography Study Center

Researchers can use the Erna and Victor Hasselblad Photography Study Center to consult photographs from the Museum’s collection. The Study Center is available by appointment only, on Wednesdays from 1pm-4pm, October through May. Individual appointments should be made at least 4 weeks in advance, classes have to be approved at least 3 months in advance. To request an appointment please fill out the online form and review the Study Center guidelines. For more information, please email: [email protected].

Media and Performance Study Center

The Media and Performance Study Center facilitates viewings of collection works and provides access to selected related documentation. The Study Center is open by appointment only, Wednesday–Thursday, 1:00–4:00 p.m., with a minimum of four weeks advance notice. Contact the Study Center using the online form.

Film Study Center

The Film Study Center is open for screenings Monday—Wednesday and select Fridays, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The Film Study Center Reading Room is open Monday-Thursday and select Fridays, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Please schedule appointments through the online form.

If you are attempting to request a loan from the archive (i.e., borrowing a film print or DCP, or seeking footage for use in a documentary), please review the Loans and Access section of our website and then contact the Film Loans team at [email protected]. For 16mm print rentals, review the procedures on the Circulating Film and Video Library page.

The Celeste Bartos International Film Study Center offers screening facilities for viewing films from the Museum’s collection; a large selection of screenplays and dialogue continuities; extensive files of reviews, articles, and program notes; reference books; special collections; film indexes; and current periodicals. Films and documentation are made available only to scholars, researchers, and students. The catalog of film collection holdings is not available online. A partial list of Special Collections holdings is available. For more about the Film Study Center, see the FAQ.

Film Stills Archive

The Film Stills Archive is located at The Celeste Bartos Film Preservation Center in Hamlin, Pennsylvania. The collection is available to researchers and scholars by appointment with the Film Study Center only. To access stills, please provide the title (plus foreign titles, if applicable), director, year, and country for all films; and first and last name for all personalities.

You may also contact the following organizations:

Photofest
32 East 31 Street, fifth floor
New York, NY 10016
(212) 633-6330

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023-7498
(212) 870-1630

Academy Film Archive
Center for Motion Picture Study
Margaret Herrick Library
333 South La Cienega Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 247-3020
Special collections: (310) 247-3000

The British Film Institute
Stills, Posters and Designs
21 Stephen Street
London W1T 1LN
Fax: 020 7957 4797
Fax: 020 7323 9260

George Eastman House
Motion Picture Department
Stills, Posters and Paper Collections
900 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 271-3361, ext. 279
Fax: (585) 256-3397
Email: [email protected]