Last spring, a tourist posing for a photo at a museum in Verona, Italy, broke a crystal-covered chair—by accidentally sitting on it! Then in June, another museum visitor caused trouble in the Italian city of Florence. While trying to take a selfie, he tripped and tore a small hole in a 300-year-old painting.
Accidents like these have led some people to call for a ban on taking photos at museums. They argue that it would prevent careless picture-takers from damaging priceless works of art or important historical objects. They point out that many museum pieces are one of a kind and can be expensive to repair or impossible to replace.
But other people say it’s fine to take photos at museums as long as it’s done responsibly. In fact, many museums encourage it.
“Allowing photography in our halls for personal use provides visitors with a way to engage more deeply with the museum,” says Britney Fitzgerald. She works at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
“It helps inspire curiosity beyond the museum’s walls,” she adds.