Plan Your Visit
Art Omi welcomes the public to its grounds free of charge. Visitors are strongly encouraged to register in advance.
The Sculpture & Architecture Park is open daily from dawn until dusk year-round.
The Benenson Center, housing the Newmark Gallery, is open daily from
9 AM–5 PM from April 1–October 31.
GETTING TO ART OMI
Art Omi is located in a rural, residential neighborhood. We ask that our visitors respect the character of the area by observing all local speed limits, driving cautiously, and parking only in designated areas. We ask also that visitors respect all park boundaries and signage, and be respectful of the quiet our neighbors have come to enjoy.
Get Directions
VISITOR SPECIFIC FAQ
Is it okay to touch or climb on the artwork?
Please do not touch or climb artwork. This behavior damages the artworks, and can be dangerous to the person climbing. Some artworks are specifically designed with an element of interactivity. These are identified in yellow on the Park Map. Also, look for instructions on the work’s title marker. If it says “Please Do Not Touch Or Climb,” do not touch or climb!
What is your COVID-19 policy?
Masks are recommended for all visitors in all indoor facilities at this time.
Do I have to register in advance?
Advance registration is strongly recommended, and may be quicker than registering on site depending on visitor numbers. If you arrive without pre-registering and the park has reached capacity, you will be turned away. Use the button at the top of the page to register! Visiting with a group? Follow the link below for more information. If you have not pre-registered for your visit, we strongly recommend calling in advance to make sure there is space.
Do I have to register if I’m only going to be outside?
We ask that you register for any visit you make to Art Omi, indoor or outdoor, during our Benenson Center open hours. Your registration assists us with organizational planning and development, allowing us to efficiently staff our facilities, allocate programming and physical resources, and understand visitor demographics. If you arrive without having pre-registered, you will be asked to register on site. If you arrive without having pre-registered at a time when the parking lot is full, you will be turned away.
What if registration is closed on the day I want to come?
Online registration for the following day closes at midnight on the day before. If you want to inquire about day-of availability, call the Benenson Center at 518-392-4747. You are also welcome to visit before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM, when registration is not required. (The grounds of the Sculpture & Architecture Park are open to the public from dawn until dusk every day.) If you have not pre-registered for your visit, we strongly recommend calling in advance to make sure there is space.
How long can I stay? Is my registration slot the length of my visit?
Your registration slot reserves a parking spot for an arrival to the Sculpture & Architecture Park during the time period specified. (For example, if you register for a 1 – 3 pm spot, you should arrive any time between 1 – 3 pm.) The length of your stay is entirely up to you.
Can I drive my vehicle in the Sculpture & Architecture Park?
No. We do not permit access by any type of motorized vehicle into or around park grounds. If you require mobility assistance, please contact tours@artomi.org.
Where are the restrooms?
Restrooms are available in the Benenson Center during opening hours. From April 1–October 31, the Benenson Center is open daily from 9 AM–5 PM. From November 1–March 31, the Benenson Center is open weekdays from 11 AM–4 PM and weekends from 9 AM–4 PM.
I’d like to visit with a larger group, or host an event for my group at Art Omi. Is that allowed?
Please click here for information about our group visit policies. All groups of ten or more people, or any number of people arriving in a bus or oversized vehicle must register in advance of visit. Group visits will be accommodated as is possible with regards to Art Omi’s programming schedule. All programs, tours, performances, and events that happen at Art Omi are curated by our staff. Any group interested in hosting an event at Art Omi must receive prior written permission.
Is there a cafe? Can I bring food?
As of January 2023, Art Omi is collaborating with Our Daily Bread to offer a cafe on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM–4 PM inside the Benenson Center.
Visitors are also welcome to bring food and drink from outside sources and picnic outdoors. Filtered water is available free of charge at the Benenson Center. Please note, Art Omi is a carry-in / carry-out facility, and there are no trash receptacles in the park. We ask that you carry out all materials or waste that you generate when leaving the park.
Where do I start? What order do I go in?
There is no wrong way or definite route when exploring Art Omi! The path system is circular, so one can go in either direction.
Are there tours?
Tours must be arranged in advance. (We recommend contacting us at least two weeks before your visit.) Guided tours can be tailored to an age group, theme, or event. Please also see the following section on this page for information on Park Maps and Audio Guides!
How long should I plan to visit?
We recommend roughly 2 hours to visit all areas of the Sculpture & Architecture Park at a leisurely pace. There are many exhibitions tucked away in the woods to discover!
Are dogs allowed?
Please note, effective January 1, 2023 dogs on leash are welcome to the Sculpture & Architecture Park before 8:30 AM only – after that time dogs and other pets will not be permitted onsite. Dogs are not allowed inside The Benenson Visitor Center at any time. This policy does not apply to registered service dogs, they are always welcome!
Why has the dog policy changed?
The change in our dog policy was not a decision that was taken lightly and was only reached after considering a multitude of perspectives and input from our staff, visitors, and the community. We take great responsibility in being stewards of both the land and exhibitions at Art Omi, and believe this decision will make our spaces accessible to more people, while ensuring the safety of our visitors and staff. Between April and October of 2022, nearly 60 incidents involving dogs were reported; ranging from injuries, aggressive animals and owners, dogs rushing people and animals, dogs endangering themselves and others by running through parking lot traffic and many complaints about the proliferation of dog feces in the park. We’ve received significant feedback from visitors who no longer come to Art Omi due to their safety concerns regarding dogs, especially from our older visitors and families with children. At this time Art Omi does not have the resources to monitor dog owners in the park and cannot put our staff in unsafe situations arising from encounters with uncooperative visitors with dogs. For more information, please read the announcement of our dog policy change sent to the Town of Ghent in November 2022 linked below.
May I take photographs?
Photography is permitted for personal use only. Absolutely no commercial use or publication of any images of or relating to Art Omi is permitted without prior, written approval. Drones may not be flown at Art Omi without prior, written approval. To inquire about a commercial photography or film shoot, or other questions related to photography, please follow the link below.
Help! There are wasps near the parking lot!?
During certain times of year, Cicada Hawk Wasps reside near the parking lot. While large and visually similar to common stinging wasps, this is a solitary species which is not typically aggressive towards humans.
PARK MAPS & AUDIO GUIDES
A vast majority of visitors to Art Omi experience the Park through self-guided exploration. The below resources are designed to help visitors orient themselves, and learn about the exhibitions on view.
The Park Map indicates the location, title, and artist of all current exhibitions. Printed maps can be picked up at the Benenson Center.
The Explore Map (for kids & families) highlights sculptures and installations that permit interactivity, like touching and climbing. The Explore Map is designed especially for people visiting the park with children.
Title markers accompany all exhibitions in the Park, providing context about the artist and work. The numbers on the title markers correspond with the numbers on the Park and Explore Maps.
Audio Tours of the park are available through the app GeoTourist. Due to spotty cell reception in the park, we recommend installing the app near the Benenson Center (where a guest wi-fi network can be accessed).
TERRAIN & ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS
The Sculpture & Architecture Park is accessible on foot throughout all weather, all year long. If seeking to experience all of the artworks on view, one will traverse grassy fields, forested paths, hills, and footbridges. There are no paved walking paths, and occasionally the trails become muddy and sometimes even impassable. Ticks, poison ivy, mud, and other natural hazards may be present. Be prepared with sturdy footwear and appropriate attire to best enjoy your experience.
Winter weather
In the event of snow or other hazardous winter conditions, the Benenson Center will follow the closure schedule of the Chatham Central School District. The Sculpture & Architecture Park will remain open. If conditions allow, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted in the park with your own equipment. No rental equipment is available. Trails are not groomed
Accessibility
The Benenson Center, Newmark Gallery, and restrooms are accessible to wheelchairs. For visitors with mobility concerns, with advance registration, Art Omi offers volunteer-driven loops through the grounds. This free option is a roughly 45-minute drive via 6-person golf cart, which can comfortably accommodate 4 visitors. Visitors must remain on the golf cart at all times, and unvaccinated individuals must wear masks throughout the loop.
Pre-registration is recommended by emailing tours@artomi.org, or calling (518) 392-4747. All reservations are subject to cancellation due to weather and terrain conditions. For more information, please email tours@artomi.org.
STAFF — Visitor Services
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Explore Further
Art Omi believes that exposure to internationally diverse creative voices fosters acceptance and respect, raises awareness, inspires innovation, and ignites change.