1. Where is the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) located?
The IOJ’s head office is located at 10-16 East Street. This is where you will find The Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Jamaica Music Museum, and National Museum of Jamaica.
Information on the location of our other divisions (e.g. National Gallery of Jamaica, and Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey) can be found on our Plan Your Visit page
2. What are the opening hours of the IOJ?
The general opening time is 9 a.m to 5 p. m, Mondays to Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. There are, however, variations of the opening times at some of our museums/divisions locations. More information can be found on our Plan Your Visit page
3. What does the IOJ do?
The IOJ is an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport. It collects and preserves Jamaica’s tangible and intangible heritage. The IOJ transmits valuable knowledge about Jamaica’s history through the establishment of museums, lectures, awards, and children’s afterschool and summer programmes.
4. What museums are at the IOJ?
The IOJ heads the following museums:
a. African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica
b. Jamaica Music Museum
c. Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey
d. National Gallery of Jamaica (Kingston and Montego Bay)
e. National Museum of Jamaica (Kingston and Montego Bay)
f. Natural History Museum of Jamaica
g. Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre
5. Is there a cost to go to the IOJ?
Yes, the museums charge a nominal fee to view their exhibitions.
Museums at the East Street location (Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Jamaica Music Museum, and National Museum of Jamaica) have a cover charge of:
1. One Hundred Dollars ($100) or Five USD per child
2. Six Hundred Dollars ($600) or Ten USD per adult
3. Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per teacher
Because of price variations at our other museum/divisions, please contact the one you would like to visit for more information by visiting our Plan Your Visit page
6. How do I book a museum tour?
To book a tour, you call the museum you would like to visit and someone will be able to take your reservation over the phone. Contact for the museum you would like to visit can be found on the Plan Your Visit page
7. Can I take photos in the museums?
Yes, however, we ask that you disable the flash on the camera. The light from the flash causes deterioration of the artefacts over time.
8. How do I purchase/subscribe to the Jamaica Journal?
You can purchase the Jamaica Journal at the Institute of Jamaica’s gift shop, located at 10-16 East Street or at bookstores and pharmacies across the island.
Details on subscribing to the Jamaica Journal can be found on the Publications page
9. Are there any children’s programmes at the IOJ?
Yes, many of our divisions offer afterschool and summer programmes for children between the ages of …. The Programmes Coordination Division, comprising of the Junior Centres and the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre, offer these programmes year-round where students are exposed to art, language, and other subjects both as extra-curricular activities and in support of the Ministry of Education’s curriculum.
Call the Programmes Coordination Division for more details on their offerings.
10. How do I donate to the museums?
To donate to the museums, you will need to take the item to the Collection Department located10-16 East Street, Kingston. A collections officer will assess the piece to determine its significance to the museum. If it is determined to be of value to the museum, the donor will be asked to sign a waiver form handing over the responsibility of the artefact to the Institute of Jamaica.
We currently do not pay for pieces but the donor will be credited for the discovery of the item.
Email museums@instituteofjamaica.org.jm for more details.