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  • 1.  Art Donation

    Posted 05-31-2025 12:01 PM
    I need some guidance and advice. This museum community forum was suggested as a good place to start. I am looking for guidance on how to best locate and then donate a large piece of contemporary art to a museum who may be looking to expand their contemporary art collection. The artists' work is included in several blue chip corporate collections such as Sony, AT&T, General Electric, Chase Manhattan Bank, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The piece is large and 3-Dimensional (76"x 105"x 16").
    Any guidance would be appreciated 
    Marcus


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    Marcus Duffel
    Houston TX
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  • 2.  RE: Art Donation

    Posted 06-02-2025 09:59 AM
    Hi Marcus,

    When it comes to donating to a museum, here are a few steps you might consider:

    Target Institutions Thoughtfully: Start by identifying museums that focus on contemporary art and have the space and interest to accommodate large-scale large sculptural works. Institutions where the artist is already in the collection are a good starting point, though they may already have a robust representation. You might also consider hospitals, universities, and other alternate venues.

    Contact the Curatorial Department: Reach out to the contemporary art curator or acquisitions committee directly. A short email introducing the artist, the work, and its provenance, along with an image and dimensions, is often the best first step.

    Get a Donation Appraisal: Once accepted, you need a qualified appraiser to complete a USPAP compliant donation appraisal for IRS purposes. The appraiser will fill out an 8283 form. You will submit the 8283 and appraisal with your taxes and provide another set to the donee institution. The donation appraisal cannot be done more than 60 days before the date of donation.

    Arrange for Shipment: Donors are typically responsible for delivering the work to the institution. Be sure to factor in crating and transportation logistics as part of your planning.

    Happy to speak more offline.

    All the best,
    Kelly Cahn

    --
    Kelly Cahn, AAA
    Kelly Cahn LLC Art Advisory & Appraisals
    Certified Member, AAA, Appraisers Association of America
    Mobile: +1 917.302.5119
    kelly@kellycahn.com


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  • 3.  RE: Art Donation

    Posted 06-02-2025 10:38 AM
    Marcus, not as easy as you might imagine.  I had a similar experience with the "discovery"  of 126 etchings by a well known early 20th century artist.  Each museum has very strict guidelines about what they will take.  The fact that you are donating is a plus but you will find that each museum has specific curation concerns that are more important than just a donation.  I found that I had to approach more than 40 different museums and of those only about 8 expressed interest, and even then only for parts of the collection.  I would start researching which institutions already feature your artist or his/her contemporaries, then make an exploratory contact with the appropriate acquisition person.  I hope you get lucky...



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