FAQs

FAQs

Find the answers to frequently asked questions.

Yes. We are located on 25 acres and have multiple FREE parking lots available to the public.

Yes. Accessible parking is available. See map for location.

The Museum has an accessible entrance and elevators to navigate between floors.

Yes. Ask a Visitor Services Associate or the Security staff at the front desk for a wheelchair.

Yes, visitors are welcome to take informal, flash-free photos for personal use in all galleries unless otherwise noted. Please refrain from using flash photography, as it can damage the art. Occasionally, there will be an exhibition, gallery, or individual work of art that does not allow photography. In this case, it will be clearly noted, or you may be informed by a Visitor Services Associate at the front desk or the security staff in the galleries. If you are uncertain about whether or not photography is allowed in a particular space, just ask the nearest security staff member.

For formally posed and professional photography guidelines, please click here.

Yes. The McNay welcomes sketching in the galleries and on our grounds, but we ask that you use lead-based pencil only while in the galleries and refrain from using paint, ink, or watercolor. If you would like a sketching stool, as the Visitor Services Associate at the front desk.

The McNay is pleased to offer a reduced admission for college students, senior citizens, and military members and their families. The following groups enjoy FREE general admission:

  • Bank of America’s Museums on US – Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission.
  • Sotheby’s Preferred Client Cardholders – Present your card at the front desk for free general admission for up to three guests.
  • Students, faculty, and staff from one of the following colleges– Alamo Colleges, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Trinity University, and the University of the Incarnate Word
  • Museums for All– Recipients of SNAP, WIC, and MAP. (Includes special exhibition access)

The McNay offers free general admission every Thursday night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. courtesy of H-E-B. Additionally, admission is free on the first Sunday of each month courtesy of the Dickson-Allen Foundation. Please note, a special exhibition fee of $10 still applies for the featured exhibition during these times.

Yes! You can apply the cost of up to one admission ticket towards an Individual Membership; two admission tickets towards a Dual/Family Membership; and three admission tickets towards a Family Plus Membership and above.

The McNay is closed New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. We are open during all other holidays unless otherwise noted on our website.

  1. Online
  2. Call 210.805.1758
  3. In person at the Visitor Services desk or the Shop located in the AT&T Lobby.
  4. Print this form and mail to:

McNay Art Museum
6000 North New Braunfels Avenue
PO Box 6069
San Antonio, TX 78209

Yes! The cost of your admission can be applied towards a membership during your visit. Proof of purchase is required, redeem at Visitor Services.

Yes! The tax deduction depends on the level of membership. Individual through Sustaining level memberships are 100% tax deductible. For information on higher levels, check out our Patron Circle membership levels.

All Membership purchases are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Specific questions about this policy can be addressed by calling 210.805.1758.

 

Yes! You may purchase a gift membership online, through the mail, by calling 210.805.1758, or visiting our Museum admissions desk.

Dual/Family or higher level Members do not have to live in the same household. However membership cards and Impressions will be mailed to one address only.

YES! Family Plus and above membership levels offer membership benefits for up to three (3) adults. For questions regarding which membership level best suites your needs, please contact the membership office by calling 210.805.1758, or by emailing membership@mcnayart.org.

The Member for a Day passes are good for one visit to the Museum. These passes cover general admission and special exhibitions only. They are not valid for Members-only events. For further questions please call 210.805.1758.

Yes! We offer Business Partner and Corporate Partner Memberships. For specific questions please call 210.805.1758.

In order to visit the McNay Library, you must make an appointment at least a week in advance. For more details, follow the instructions detailed here.

Check out all the McNay Member benefits here!

See all the membership levels here and choose the level that works best for you!

The McNay Art Museum does not offer student, senior, or military memberships at this time.

Memberships last for one full year. For example, if you buy a membership in January, your membership will expire January 31st the following year. We also offer 2-year memberships that can be purchased on our online form. New: You have the option to auto-renew your membership each year by selecting the auto-renew box at checkout. You can also contact us at 210.805.1758 to set up your auto-renewal.

Yes! You can upgrade your membership to a higher level at any time by calling 210.805.1758.

No – admission for special exhibitions is a benefit of your membership! Members are always free!

Yes! You may use your membership on a field trip or group visit. For more information on Field Trips and Group Visits please call 210.805.1768.

When you arrive to your destination, present your active membership card with the museum with the appropriate reciprocal stickers at the Visitor Services desk. Because you are a Member of the McNay, other museums are not able to verify your membership status. Your active membership card with the reciprocal stickers is necessary for admission. It is highly recommended that you call the museum you plan to visit ahead of time to verify their participation in reciprocal programs.

If a McNay Member and are unsure whether you are enrolled in Mod/Co, TRM, ROAM, or NARM, please contact us at 210.805.1758 or membership@mcnayart.org.
If you are a member of another museum that provides reciprocal benefits to the McNay, you must present an active membership card from your issuing museum with the appropriate reciprocal stickers. We are unable to verify your membership status and your reciprocal stickers are necessary for admission. Reciprocal members receive free admission to the McNay and special exhibitions, plus 10% off at our Museum Store. If you are not a McNay Member and are unsure whether you are enrolled in Mod/Co, TRM, ROAM, or NARM, please contact your issuing museum.

 

To register for lectures and family programs, please contact the Education Department at 210.805.1768. For a list of activities check out the McNay Calendar of Events!

Individual level Members may not bring guests. Dual/Family and above memberships admit two adults.

McNay Member Preview receptions are exclusive opportunities to view our featured exhibitions before they open to the public. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and conversations with curators. McNay Members Previews are FREE for Active Members.

We invite Members to join us for an afternoon First Look and evening Last Look of each featured exhibition. There will be pop-up presentations and light refreshments. No reservations are necessary, but your membership card is required for admission.

We email invitation for all of our Member events. To see what’s coming up check the Calendar of Events in your Impressions Members’ magazine.

If you lose your card, contact the McNay Membership Office at 210.805.1758 for a replacement. We reserve the right to limit the number of times Member cards will be replaced per year.

Whether you are new or renewing, you will receive your cards in the mail within 10-14 business days from the date of purchase – including gift memberships.

If you do not receive your membership cards in the mail within 10-14 business days from the date of purchase, please call 210.805.1758 or email us at membership@mcnayart.org.

Due to processing time, your payment and renewal notice may have crossed paths in the mail. To confirm that we have received you membership payment, please call us at 210.805.1758, or email us at membership@mcnayart.org.

We will send you an email notifying you of your auto-renewal date and payment that is approaching. If you have questions or concerns regarding auto-renewal, please call us at 210.805.1758, or email us at membership@mcnayart.org.

On Saturday, $5,500 for either the Mansion Reception Package or the Contemporary Reception Package. The fee for both packages combined is $8,000 (Ultimate Reception Package). Discounts are offered on Fridays and Sundays.

Designated rental space including one-hour in specified galleries for your guests to enjoy, and parking.

Catering, additional use of our Stieren Kitchen as needed by the caterer, table and chair rentals, liability insurance, and hiring of an off-duty police officer.

The Leeper Auditorium can seat 250 guests with a dance floor and 300 without. The dimensions of the Leeper are 81’5” long and 43 feet wide, for a total square footage of 3,483 square feet. The hardwood floors in the Leeper serve as your dance floor.

At the fountain, for an additional charge of $300. If you are having a reception inside the museum, you may seat up to 250 chairs in front of the fountain.

$400, which reserves your choice of either the Main Fountain or the Gazebo for one hour, and is limited to 50 guests. Chair set-up is not allowed. The rain plan for this option is the covered porch to the right of the Main Collection Entrance.

Yes. The Lang Gallery Dining Package option works well for Friday rehearsal dinners. Please see the Rental Brochure for more details.

The deposit is half of the rental fee, i.e. $2,500. It is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due one month prior to the event.

Either inside the Leeper, or in the AT&T Lobby and Ewing-Halsell Reception Hall in the Stieren Center (see map.)

You may select from our list of outstanding approved caterers, sure to please every palate and price range. Every company on the list has met the McNay standards of quality, service, and appropriate licensing. The lighting technician and the off duty SAPD officer are also McNay approved, but the client is free to choose all other vendors.

Yes. Most bands play on the stage of the Leeper Auditorium, which measures 17’8” x 10’ and raises three feet out of the floor. There is a $150.00 AV fee (assessed to the client) for the band to use our electrical distribution panel.

Yes, the Blackburn Patio/Courtyard area is included if you select the Mansion Reception Package for your rental (as opposed to the Contemporary Reception Package) The Courtyard is most often utilized for the cocktail hour, but remains open all evening for your guests to enjoy. Smoking is allowed in the Courtyard, as well as candles (which are not allowed inside the Museum.)

Yes; please call 210.805.1782 or email rentals@mcnayart.org to schedule a walkthrough appointment during the week, Tuesday- Friday; 10:00 am – 3:30 pm, and to check availability of the desired event date.

Saturday availability is very limited and appointments are only held in the late afternoon when an evening reception is booked. Please call for availability. Self-walkthroughs are permitted with paid museum admission.

Yes; for thirty days at no fee, preferably after a walkthrough. This courtesy will extend the right of first refusal to you should another party express interest in your date.

No. Simply call 210.805.1782 to let the McNay Staff know when you will be on-site, and you will not be charged the $30 photography fee.

Yes. Facilities and Security Staff will be on-site the entire event.

The library gratefully accepts cash donations in honor of, or in memory of a friend, or family member. The funds are used to purchase books on the Library’s Wish List. A bookplate will be placed in the book designating the donor and the honoree. An acknowledgment will be mailed to the donor and the honoree or their family. If you wish to make a donation, please call Joanne Curry at 210-805-1755. Your generous gift in support of the library helps to preserve these vast volumes and records, and ensures that they remain available for scholarly research in the years to come.

The library is open to Museum visitors by appointment only. Please see General Information for full details.

Library materials do not circulate to the public.

Yes. Access to the online catalog is available through a link on the library’s main page on the Museum’s website.

Yes. Black and white 8 ½” x 11” copies are 10¢ a sheet and color copies are 25¢ a sheet.

The library collection offers information on many of the McNay’s works of art; however, not every museum object is documented in the library.