I think that Vivian's suggestion for your museum to engage in a MAP survey is a good one, although the application an approval process may take more time than you have, before your museum's major changes. It is well worth doing, in any case.
Just to make it clear -- and you may with to look at the CAP website (culturalheritage.org/resources/collection-care/cap), that program focuses on conservation and preservation (see below). I have been fortunate in being able to conduct qhite a few CAP surveys. and I have found that the subject museums find the program to be of great value in planning for conservation planning, grant applications, and so forth.
"The Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program provides small and mid-sized museums with partial funding toward a general conservation assessment. The assessment is a study of all of the institution's collections, buildings, and building systems, as well as its policies and procedures relating to collections care. Participants who complete the program receive an assessment report with prioritized recommendations to improve collections care. CAP is often a first step for small institutions that wish to improve the condition of their collections."
Best,
Bruce
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Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus, Newport Restoration Foundation
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-20-2024 08:46 AM
From: Vivian Zoe
Subject: Collection Management - Appraiser for potential deaccesioning
Dear Juliana - material value is not a reason to deaccession. What's the real goal? What are the institution's Goals? its mission? The measure must be how well the object supports and furthers the institution's mission, which appears to be " Featuring local, national and international artists over our 25 year history, our exhibitions have engaged and ignited careers and spurred countless conversations with emerging, mid-level, and accomplished artists alike. "
You don't state how imminent the move is, but migrating collections is a significant undertaking that should include assessing whether the institution's mission remains true and appropriate for the community. Perhaps the CSMoA is NOT a collecting institution?
I'd suggest a CAP (Collections Assessment Program) from AAM which can be very cost effective and assist you in determining how well your collection is meeting the goals of your mission before migration. It may even be premature for you to engage in a CAP... it's possible the more general MAP would be more appropriate first...
Vivian
Original Message:
Sent: 3/19/2024 2:08:00 PM
From: Juliana Forero
Subject: Collection Management - Appraiser for potential deaccesioning
Good Afternoon,
I recently started leading a small museum, which has been collecting for many years. From what I've seen in records and in practice, collection practices in the museum were a bit loose and the museum's collection is eclectic. Our location will be moving into a newer construction with less square footage. So we are looking into appraising the collection to evaluate if we deaccession some pieces.
Does anyone have experience with appraising collections for potential deaccessioning? Do you have any advice while I start embarking on this venture?
Thank you all!
Juliana Forero
Coral Springs Museum of Art
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Juliana Forero
Museum Manager
Coral Springs FL
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