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 Help writing policy stating potential objects by namesake should be gifted to the Museum

Katie Edwards's profile image
Katie Edwards posted 01-31-2024 04:06 PM

Hello AAM colleagues,

The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum in Austin, Texas is a 501c3, opened in 1991, founded on a major gift from American sculptor Charles Umlauf. Our acquisitions policy includes accepting works by the artist for the permanent collection.  We've been offered a Charles Umlauf sculpture to sell at our fundraiser. However, we want the donor to instead gift the sculpture to the Museum so that it may be shared with the public in perpetuity. Does anyone have an existing written policy that addresses such a situation?  We do not want to give the appearance of "selling" objects by Umlauf, which could jeopardize the public's faith in us (not to mention the trust of past and future donors).  We're working on an addendum to our collections policy and would love help crafting it. 

Appreciate your guidance, 

Katie and Amara

Patrick Kelly's profile image
Patrick Kelly posted 02-01-2024 11:25 AM

Katie,

Usually it's the other way around where a donor wants a work to go into the collection but the quality/condition does not meet the criteria for accessioning. Our policy is that all gifts are "unrestricted" and let the committee make the decision if it is to be accessioned into the collection or used to generate income for the care or purchases of museum quality works. The committee should consider the recommendation by the curators/staff. We are up front with a donor and let them know the work may be accessioned or be sold to benefit the institution. (All this happens prior to any accessioning!) Just be transparent with the donor and the public and it should be fine. Hope that answers the question. (We wait 2 years after the gift to auction or sell especially after they are using the gift as tax deduction.)

PK

Katie Edwards's profile image
Katie Edwards posted 02-01-2024 09:33 PM

Thank you for the swift response, Patrick. This is indeed an odd situation but I think we could do a combo of OJAC's policy plus a statement about the UMLAUF's role/priorities. Appreciate you.

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