VMFA Child Protective Guidelines

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. VMFA aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for all visitors, especially children. The well-being of children is a critical part of our health and safety management process, and it is our responsibility to ensure the protection of children on our premises and engaged in activities under our direct control.

As an educational institution and agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, VMFA is obligated to perform emergency planning concerning the safety of persons and facilities for which we are responsible. The statutory requirement for this planning is set forth in § 44-146.18 of the Code of Virginia. VMFA has procedures in place to respond to a wide range of situations and each level of alert. We employ a full-time security force to patrol the buildings and grounds of the museum. In addition, the museum utilizes various security systems and equipment to protect our visitors and collection.

We are pleased to respond that the museum has performed all emergency planning required by the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. In that VMFA is a secure facility entrusted with responsibility for the safekeeping of the Commonwealth’s extensive collection of fine art, we carefully control distribution of any agency plan which may, if such materials were to fall into the wrong hands, jeopardize the security of persons and our facilities. The Code of Virginia at § 2.2-3705.2 provides us the authority to restrict disclosure of these materials. We appreciate your understanding of, and cooperation with, our security measures.

Please know that we take the safety of our visitors very seriously and make every effort to ensure their wellbeing while in our facility. If there is a reported emergency at VMFA, you may call the Security Console at 804.340.1563 to check for updates on the situation. Staff may not be able to answer questions about particular school groups and individual students.

We define children as persons under 18 years of age. Children less than 13 years of age are regarded as needing a higher degree of protection than those ages 13 and above.

The primary responsibility for a child’s welfare at VMFA rests with the supervising adult when the child is NOT under the supervision of a VMFA staff member.

VMFA Employees, Adjunct Faculty, Contract Staff, Volunteers, and Interns Code of Conduct

VMFA staff, contract instructors, volunteers, and interns, over the age of 18, who are recruited to work directly with children are selected with care and caution and are required to submit to a legal background check through USA Background, Inc. All employees will be subject to a satisfactory background check, which will include a search of all available sexual offender databases, employer/personal reference, and a standard probationary period.

  • Staff members are required to be good role models and maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
  • Staff members will treat children entrusted to their care with respect at all times.
  • All staff, volunteers, and interns will wear a photo identification badge or an approved name tag at all times.
  • Staff members will report lapses in acceptable standards to their VMFA supervisor.
  • Failure to maintain appropriate standards will be dealt with using VMFA disciplinary procedures.

Staff Training

VMFA Education Managers and/or Coordinators for each program or department will train their assigned staff, contract teachers, volunteers, and interns on this policy and monitor procedures and behaviors to assure all adhere to good practices in respect to VMFA child visitors.

All employees who will work directly with children will be issued a Child Safety and Protection guidelines packet.

With the assistance of the Department of Security Services, staff and interns will walk through a fire drill and be able to locate first aid bags, emergency exits, and fire extinguishers.

Student Drop-Off/Pick Up

Early Childhood Education classes, ages 3 months to 5 years, are caregiver-accompanied programs. Adults are required to sign in and attend the entire program alongside their child. Staff will guide the group and account for all participants; however, caregivers are responsible for their child’s safety and location.

For Early Childhood Curiosity camps and Youth Studio classes and camps, a parent, guardian, or caregiver is required to sign in each child ages 3–12 at the start of their class. The drop-off adult must leave the name of the person picking up the child if other than themselves. They must also leave emergency information and a contact number for that day.

For Early Childhood Curiosity camps and Youth Studio classes and camps, a parent, guardian, or caregiver is required to sign out each child ages 3–12 at the end of their class. A valid photo ID is required for an adult to pick up a child.

Students ages 13–17 in the Teen Studio Programs are permitted to sign themselves in and out of each class. Students must give emergency contact information and phone number upon arrival and sign in.

VMFA is responsible for students’ safety during a scheduled program time. We do not release students (under age 13) to explore the museum without an accompanying teacher or parent/chaperone. For select programs, teens (ages 13+) are permitted to work independently but must check-in and out with their teacher, faculty or VMFA staff person.

Parents/guardians are required to pick up their child at the conclusion of the class. VMFA does not offer extended care for any child unless it is part of a scheduled program in conjunction with a class, or series of classes for which the child is registered. This option may not always be available.

VMFA staff, or the contract teacher, is required to wait with student(s) until each are satisfactorily picked up. If the student drives a car to class, they leave on their own or in prearranged carpools.

Student Behavior

Early Childhood Education Programs (age 3 months– 5 years) use positive reinforcement and logical consequences for challenging moments. We engage children in a dialogue about behavior, allowing them to have a constructive role in solving and fixing problems. VMFA staff will inform parents/caregivers when behavioral issues arise.

Youth Programs Rules and Consequences are available in the Youth Programs Information Packet sent upon registering for camps, as well as on our website. In order to make our art programs a positive experience for all students (ages 5–12 in Youth Classes) and staff, we reserve the right to remove students from class who do not adhere to student behavior policy. The behavior policy will be reviewed by the teacher on the first day of class.

Teens are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct available in the Teen Studio Programs Information Packet sent upon registering for select classes or the program guidelines presented at the start of the program or class. In order to make our programs a positive experience for all students, faculty, and staff, we reserve the right to remove students from a class or program who do not adhere to the appropriate guidelines.

Supervising Students

All students ages 3–12 who are enrolled in Early Childhood Camps and Youth Classes are supervised at all times while participating in studio classes and guided gallery experiences. This includes escorting students to the restrooms.

All students ages 13–17 who are enrolled in Teen Programs are supervised while participating in studio classes; however, select programs allow students to work independently. Teens are permitted to check themselves in and out daily at the scheduled class times, and use the restroom, as needed.

Student Group Tours

Groups of children, ages 2–17, which have preregistered for a gallery tour, should arrive with adults such as teachers, relatives, or youth group leaders. VMFA requires one adult chaperone per 10 students ages 5–17 and requires one adult chaperone per 5 students for students ages 2-5. Students with disabilities often have a much higher ratio of adults to students. Leaders are informed of required pupil-teacher ratios, expected behavior, and rules at the time of booking and in their written tour confirmation letter sent out by either the Tour Services Office or Early Childhood Education staff.

If the behavior of any child or adult in the group adversely affects the safety or experience of other visitors to the museum, a VMFA tour guide, class instructor, VMFA staff member, or VMFA security personnel may ask them to leave the museum, accompanied by their teacher/group leader and/or VMFA security.

All group leaders are asked to deliver a count of total students and chaperones to the volunteer or staff representative(s) at the Student Group Entrance upon arrival. All group leaders are encouraged to supply a name tag for each student less than 13 years of age.

A group visit checklist is sent to each scheduled group and given to unscheduled drop-in groups upon their arrival in the museum lobby (see VMFA School Group Visit Checklist).

Intrusion

Security cameras monitor the entire facility, including studio spaces, seven days per week, 24 hours a day.

Staff and instructors are briefed and trained on how to handle individuals who could pose a threat.

Staff, if possible, will never allow an agitated individual to enter an area where children are located.

VMFA staff and instructors are trained to understand and execute procedures for sheltering-in-place should any staff working with children determines that there is imminent danger to the safety of students, staff, or instructors. The group will remain sheltered-in-place until VMFA security or law enforcement gives the “all clear” to bring the children out of the safe place.

Access

All buildings, studios, and rooms have controllable access through designated, supervised, or locked entry points. A VMFA Security Officer is stationed at all public entrances.

Restrooms

In the Early Childhood Education Program, students will use the bathroom as independently as they are physically able too. Instructors will assist the children as minimally as possible. This can include, but not limited to, helping unbutton and pull up pants, or assisting children getting on, or off, the toilet. Single-stall restrooms are bright, well lit, and set up for students to be as independent as possible. Education Staff stand outside the door and assist as needed. Multiple-stall restrooms require a visual check to ensure no other individuals are in the restroom before allowing students to enter. Education Staff wait outside the stalls and assist as needed.

In Youth Studio Programs, the teacher or VMFA staff will monitor students during restroom breaks. Single-stall restrooms are bright, well lit, and easy to supervise. Multiple-stall restrooms require a visual check to ensure no other individuals are in the restroom before allowing students to enter. The teacher or staff will wait outside of the restroom and monitor it acoustically.

In Teen Studio and Teen Programs, students (13+) are permitted to use the restroom without the need for staff supervision.

General Safety

  • All visitors to the VMFA Pauley Center must register with the Security Associate.
  • All visitors desiring entry to the main museum or the Pauley Center prior to public hours must register with the SCOP Officer at the main entrance.
  • The museum is protected from fire by a smoke and heat sensor system linked to the fire alarm. Well-rehearsed evacuation procedures ensure all visitors can safely leave the premises. All staff, teachers, and volunteers will be familiar with the emergency exits, the evacuation path from the building, and the refuge location.
  • Emergency exits are clearly indicated.
  • Lighting is sufficient in and around entrances and in classroom spaces.
  • Telephones are located in an easily accessible location within each room or studio where teachers and children may be working.
  • Emergency contact telephone numbers are visible near each telephone.
  • Student contact information, emails, and/or emergency numbers are kept confidential.
  • Incident reports are completed by VMFA Security for any accident, mishap, or unusual circumstance deemed notable.
  • Backpacks and packages are not permitted in the galleries. They must be checked in the VMFA coat room.

Classroom Safety

  • Paper cutters are secured.
  • Sharp cutting tools are secured.
  • Electrical outlets within six feet of the sinks or other water sources are protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
  • Hazardous materials are secured out of reach of younger guests.
  • No child can handle, mix, or work with studio art materials not meeting the AP (Approved Product) Seal, without approval from a parent, guardian, or the child’s caregiver.

First Aid

  • All medical emergencies will be reported immediately to VMFA Security Console at 804-340-1563.
  • 911 will be called by VMFA Security Console for all medical emergencies.
  • VMFA has staff members certified in First Aid that will provide basic first aid, as needed. This could include, but is not limited to, the distribution of small adhesive bandages or instant cold packs.
  • Cursory or minor first aid will be administered by gloved VMFA staff at their discretion.
  • An “Ouch Form” or note will be completed by the teacher or program staff and given to the caregiver for any minor incident requiring basic first aid or attention.
  • First aid treatment is carried out with more than one adult present except in the rare occasion where delay in providing urgent first aid pending the arrival of medical aid would be harmful to the child.

Medical Notice:

VMFA Education Staff are not authorized to administer medications on a regular basis. If a student is to self-carry a medication for use in the event of an emergency, it must be noted on the Emergency Information Form, and written instructions on the administration of medicine must be provided by the parent or legal guardian on the Emergency Medication Permission Form.

It is strongly advised that should your child need emergency medication, VMFA staff is notified at least two weeks ahead of the program. If your child has an allergy of any kind, it is important to inform VMFA staff on the first day of camp/class. If your child has a serious life-threatening allergy, we welcome you to remain on campus while your child is participating in the program.

Emergency Action

In the event of an emergency, VMFA Staff will respond to the situation promptly and accordingly. A staff person will immediately attempt to reach the parent or guardian.

Staff and contract teachers will follow the VMFA Emergency Procedures Policy.

Weather Related Sheltering-In-Place

On the occasion of a significant weather event (tornado, severe thunderstorm, high winds, or any warning or advisory of such) it may be more prudent to shelter children in-place instead of evacuating them from the building. If this decision is made, all children and staff will be relocated to an interior room, and away from all windows and glass doors. This procedure will continue until the Security staff advises that the weather event no longer poses a threat.

Missing Child

The group leader, staff, or contract teacher should account for all members of their group. If they are missing any person, VMFA Security Console will be alerted immediately. VMFA will immediately activate a Missing Child Alert.

Found Child

If staff, security, or a VMFA guest finds a lost child they should take that child immediately to the nearest VMFA SCOP Officer. The VMFA SCOP Officer will alert the Security Console via radio of the found child.

Abuse

VMFA minimizes the opportunity for abuse by working in open environments, avoiding unobserved, secluded locations or situations.

Any staff, intern, or volunteer working with minor children will be instructed as to appropriate and safe behaviors.

Students participating in VMFA classes and programs are never left alone or in isolation with a teacher, staff, intern or volunteer. In the event that a student needs individual assistance away from their group, assistance will be carried out with another adult present or within a public space.

The welfare of children is paramount and any suspicion or allegation of abuse will be taken seriously. All our staff, volunteers, and trustees have a responsibility to report any concerns or suspicions that may arise with an appropriate supervisor.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse, injury, or inappropriate behavior will be properly investigated, and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

 

Photography

Prior to VMFA staff photographers taking photographs or videotaping children participating in museum classes or on tours, staff will obtain the caregiver, parent, or guardian’s consent in writing. Student names are not published with accompanying published photos.

Photographers are on duty at many Museum public programs and events to capture images for the Museum’s archives and for publicity about Museum programs. If a parent, caregiver, or guardian would prefer not to have their child’s picture taken during such an event, they can notify the photographer.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed biannually in July by the Department of Security Services in conjunction with the Art and Education Division. Changes will be made as deemed appropriate and in the light of current circumstances. Specific procedures may be added as needed and will become part of these guidelines.

Revised July, 2024