Rights and Reproductions

To request copies of digital media (images, documents, audio and film) of Peabody collections for research or publication use, or permission to include text from archival collections in a publication, please fill out the Media and Permission Request Form. This will enable the Museum to fully understand the scope of the project and better assist the requestor. Please email pmimages@fas.harvard.edu with any questions.

Please email pmresearch@fas.harvard.edu to request research-use, medium-resolution scans of material from paper collections.  The Peabody Museum Archives offers a small number of complimentary research-use medium-resolution scans.

Fees are charged when the Peabody incurs additional costs to fulfill a request. In these instances, costs that must be covered by the requestor are:

• Request requires new professional photography, digitization of audio or video files, CT scans, or for digitization of materials larger than 11 x17 inches. 
• Special orders or requests requiring more than 25 new scans of materials less than 11 x17 inches in size. 

In some cases, fees may be waived or discounted for requests from descendant communities and other heritage stakeholders, Peabody Museum Research Associates, Harvard affiliates, or for large orders over 25 images.

As a component of the Peabody’s open access initiative and to eliminate potential cost barriers for users, the Museum does not charge additional permission or use fees. 

• Standard processing time is five to six weeks if media is available. Requests for new digitization will take longer depending on available resources and the requestor will be provided with an estimated time frame before proceeding with the request.

• Permission for reproduction of media for educational uses, promotional materials, or for television/films or multi-media formats, including databases, will be granted on a case-by-case basis according to use, quantity, and distribution. Requests for use of collections in commercial products is rarely granted and only when in alignment with Peabody Museum ethical stewardship practices.  

• If payment is required, it must be prepaid and made in US dollars by check or credit card.

• A permission form will be sent with media, including those for research purposes only. Permission for media is not granted until the permission form has been countersigned by the Peabody Museum and returned to the requestor.

• Permission granted is for one-time reproduction rights in one language, one edition only, unless approved otherwise by the Office of Rights and Reproductions.

• All permissions are granted with the requirement that the requestor provides one gratis copy (tear sheet acceptable) of the publication or product to the Peabody Museum.

• The Peabody Museum reserves the right to limit the number of copies; to restrict the use of reproduction of rare, valuable, or sensitive materials; to refuse permission for inappropriate use; and to charge different fees from ones presented on this site.

• The Peabody Museum does not grant exclusive rights and retains its rights to publish and/or grant permissions for others to do so.

The Peabody Museum provides photographs of objects in its collection for publication use. The Museum will however allow a researcher to publish his or her own photograph of a Peabody Museum object upon review. The procedure for seeking permission involves a review of the photograph and the potential transfer of copyright for that photo to the Peabody Museum. Please allow four weeks for the Museum to review your request. Researchers wishing to publish their images should complete the Media and Permission Request Form and send images to pmimages@fas.harvard.edu

Once approved, the Peabody Museum will provide the researcher with a use agreement for one time permission to publish the photograph. In some circumstances,  the Museum may send the researcher or copyright holder a Copyright Transfer Agreement for one time permission to publish the photograph and to transfer all rights, including but not limited to copyright, in the image to the President and Fellows of Harvard College. As a condition of this agreement, the rights holder must provide the physical medium to the Peabody Museum. Digital image files (high resolution, TIFF format, 24-byte RGB or 8-byte greyscale) are the preferred media. The Peabody Museum will provide the researcher with credit line information that must be included with the publication of the photograph with either agreement.

• A list of locations to be filmed must be provided to the Peabody Museum prior to filming with at least two-weeks' advance notice. Selecting these locations might require an advance visit to the Peabody by the filmmaker. Secure storage areas are not available. All logistical concerns, such as freight elevator access and availability, power supply, etc., must be arranged prior to filming.
• A schedule for filming must be agreed upon in advance with the Peabody Museum. Filming hours are on weekdays only. All filming days must start in the morning, even if only a half-day is anticipated.
• Museum artifacts may be handled only by Peabody Museum-designated personnel. A responsible staff member will be present at all times during the filming to facilitate the project.
• A list of artifacts to be filmed must be provided to the Peabody Museum prior to filming with at least two-weeks' advance notice. Selecting these artifacts might require an advance visit to the Peabody by the filmmaker.
• No equipment or weight should be placed on or against exhibit cases.
• Exhibit cases cannot be opened for filming without prior arrangement.
• Galleries may not be closed to the public during filming without prior arrangement. The third-floor galleries also serve as emergency exit routes and may not be closed under any circumstances.
• All personnel associated with the filming will be issued a badge that must be worn at all times. Persons found filming in the galleries without a badge will be asked to leave.
• The Peabody Museum will provide a contract that must be signed prior to filming. 
• Permission to film or photograph in the Peabody Museum galleries does not extend to the galleries of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, located in the same building. 
• The location fee for filming is $1,500 per day, or $750 per half-day. This fee is payable to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology upon the commencement of filming.
• Payment of location use or rental fees does not constitute an endorsement by the Peabody Museum of products and services portrayed in the final product.

ID Badges

Persons with permission to film or photograph in the galleries will be issued a special ID and will be accompanied by a Peabody staff person. Persons found filming in the galleries without a badge will be asked to leave.

Examples of situations covered by these procedures include:

• An interviewer who wishes to photograph a faculty member in the galleries for an article 
• A commercial or non-profit filmmaker who wishes to use the galleries as a backdrop 
• A visiting researcher who wishes to photograph an exhibit or an object on display for publication or research use 

Permission to photograph or film in the museum galleries may be granted only by Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. Requests of any kind from the media and all requests for photography or filming in the galleries should be directed to:

Faith Sutter, Media & Communications Specialist
617-495-3397 
faith_sutter@harvard.edu

Please make your request at least two weeks prior to the date of filming; requests for still photography, at least one week ahead.

• The fee for filming collections not currently on view is $150 (nonprofit use) or $300 (commercial use) per hour with a two-hour minimum. This fee is payable to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology upon commencement of filming.
• A list of objects to be filmed must be provided to the Peabody Museum prior to filming with at least two weeks' advance notice. Selecting these objects might require an advance visit to the Peabody by the filmmaker and/or a research request to determine which objects will be requested.
• A schedule for filming must be agreed in advance with the Peabody Museum. Filming hours are on weekdays only, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Filming after 5:00 pm or on holidays is not permitted. All filming days must start in the morning, even if only a half-day is anticipated.
• Secure storage areas are not available as filming venues. All logistical concerns such as freight elevator access, power requirements, etc., must be arranged prior to filming.
• All museum objects are to be handled by Peabody Museum–designated personnel only. A staff member will be present at all times during the filming to facilitate the project
• The Peabody Museum will provide a film contract that must be signed prior to filming.
• Payment of location use or rental fees does not constitute an endorsement by the Peabody Museum of products and services portrayed in the final product.
• The Producer agrees to identify Peabody Museum staff or affiliates interviewed in the film as Peabody Museum staff or affiliates in the film in appropriate closing credits or to identify objects as being in the collections of the Peabody Museum.
• Permission to film in the Peabody Museum nonpublic areas does not extend to the galleries or public areas of the Peabody Museum or the Harvard Museum of Natural History in the same building. 

Anyone seeking to film museum collections not currently on display please contact:

Cynthia Mackey
Office of Rights and Reproductions
pmimages@fas.harvard.edu