2. Musical Instruments And Art on Memorial Grounds

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While the Museum and Memorial have rules & regulations much like any other in the country, this one’s quite interesting. Since the memorial is an open plaza, you would think people might come in and play their instruments like we see happen all over the city. But according to Visitor Rule XXI: “Visitors may carry musical instruments onto the Memorial Plaza as personal belongings, however they cannot be utilized, unless authorized by permit.” Once, North Carolina Middle School choir did an informal performance there, but was told to stop because their singing was a “public demonstration” and they didn’t have a permit.
Additionally, the rule extends to the Museum where “Musical instruments are prohibited inside the Memorial Museum and the 9/11 Memorial Museum Store at Vesey, unless officially authorized by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s Communications Department or External Affairs Department. Musical instruments will not be stored at the Memorial Museum’s coat checks.” 
As for sketching on the Plaza, “Sketching with any type of material is permitted on the Memorial Plaza and inside the 9/11 Memorial Museum Store at Vesey, as long as it does not impede pedestrian traffic in any way.” But if you’re interested in sketching inside the Museum, then be sure to bring only a pencil, as that is the only kind of drawing utensil you can use in the vicinity.