Post on 16-Jan-2016
transcript
DEACCESSIONING
By
Kari Atkinson
Sara Berkovec
Miao Han
Kari O’Mara
DEFINITION
Deaccessioning is the formal change in the recorded status of a museum object.
Image taken from http://www.aam-us.org/pubs/mn/deaccession.cfm
WHY DEACCESSION?
The object is not within the scope or mission of the institution
The object is beyond the capability of the institution to maintain
The object is not useful for research, exhibition, or educational programs in the foreseeable future
There are duplicates of the object in the collection The object is a poor, less important, incomplete,
or unauthentic example The object is composed of physically deteriorated
and/or hazardous material
WHY DEACCESSION CONT.
The object was originally acquired illegally or unethically
The object is subject to a legislative mandate, such as repatriation
The object is subject to contractual donor restrictions that the institution is no longer able to meet
The object is found to be part of a set that belongs to another institution, or is more appropriate to the collection of another institution
In the case of living collections, the death of a specimen
METHODS OF DISPOSAL
Return to donor Donation to another institution for
educational purposes Exchange between institutions Transfer into an educational or research
program Repatriation Selling (public auction or private sale) Physical destruction
RETURNS
•Returning objects to their donors is not usually the best option for an institution, except repatriation
•This option should only be used rarely, and should be carefully discussed with legal counsel
TRADING
•Exchange
•Transfer/Donation
ADVANTAGES
Prevents and/or relieves overcrowding of storage areas
Provides the public with access to the items
Meets the requirements of donor agreements
Provides an opportunity for whole collection assessment
EXCHANGE
Reasons: Replace an object not within the institution’s
scope or mission for one that is Exchange a duplicate item for an item unique
to the collection Exchanged objects should be of relatively
equal value All exchanges, especially those with private
parties, needs to be justified Requires excellent documentation Requires a good independent appraisal
TRANSFER/DONATION
Reasons: The object legally belongs to another institution The object can be better cared for by another
institution The object must be removed from the institution’s
collection Objects removed from a collection can be donated
to educational and/or research programs These objects might be subject to deterioration and
destruction due to use Odalisque by Henri Matisse 1928. Image taken from
http://aamdobjectregistry.org/node/51
SELLING
•Private Sale
•Public Auction
PRIVATE SALE
Not a standard method of disposal Used when a public auction is not possible
or practical Generally done through consignment Institution must be prepared to honestly
answer outside inquiries
PUBLIC AUCTION
Common method of disposal Used when the institution needs to
generate funds Subjected to close public scrutiny
Image taken from http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2008/11/02-week/
PREPARATION FOR SALE
Auction house selection Research multiple auction
houses Some considerations
Cost Marketing strategies Reputation Sale location
Record keeping and provenance Needs to be up-to-date and
accurate
Image taken from http://www.supremefiction.com/theidea/art/page/2/
PREPARATION FOR SALE CONTINUED
Contracts Should include
Publicity Price reserves Insurance Unsold items Physical care
Care and handling of materials Handled by the Registrar Escort/handler Inspection of facility and security
Image taken from http://artshippingboxes.org/art-shipping-materials
POST-SALE
May include publication of the sales results
Reiterate how the proceeds will be used All unsold items are dealt with per
contract terms
Image taken from http://www.artworldsalon.com/blog/category/art-politics/page/2/
ETHICS
Generally refer to the use of the proceeds Most common are:
Prohibition of sale or transfer of items to museum staff, trustees, and/or relatives
Proceeds are used for new acquisitions and/or direct care of the collection only
Proceeds may not be used for institutional operations/facility maintenance
DESTRUCTION
•Educational and Research Programs
•Physical Destruction
EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Uses Scientific study School programs Hands-on demonstrations Exhibition props Conversational testing
Image taken from http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/conservation/book/
PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION
Reasons
•Deterioration
•Hazardous
• Unauthorized or Counterfeit
Image taken from http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3860087356_bbcbf412fb.jpg
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Ethylene Oxide
ArsenicDichlorvos (Vapona)
TobaccoCamphor
• StrychnineMercuric Chloride
• Naphthalene• Paradichlorobenzene (PDB)• Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane
(DDT)• Methyl Bromide and Cyanide
Sybarizing (Siburizing)• Potassium Cyanide
THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA)
http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/04/korean-zoo-is-bursting-with-babies.html
THE NATIONAL ZOO
•Dealing with aging animals
•Euthanize
•Necropsy
Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tolfa/126539892/sizes/m/in/photostream/
REFERENCES
American Association of Museums. The New Museum Registration Methods. Ed. Rebecca. A. Buck, and Jean Allman Gilmore. Washington: American Association of Museums, 1998. Print.
Deaccession and Disposition of Museum Objects and Collections Procedure Criteria (Appendix A). Alberta, 28 Mar. 2008. Web. 11 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.conman.ualberta.ca/stellent/groups/public/@academic/documents/procedure/pp_cmp_064185.hcsp>.
"Hazardous Materials In Your Collection." Conserve O Gram 2/10 (Aug. 1998). National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
Museum Objects and Collections Acquisition Procedure. Alberta, 28 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.conman.ualberta.ca/stellent/groups/public/@academic/documents/procedure/pp_cmp_064171.hcsp>.
Range, Daniel. “Deaccessioning and Its Costs in the Holocaust Art Context: The United States and Great Britian.” Texas International Law Journal 39.4 (2004) : 655-673. Print.
Return of Cultural Property and Repatriation of Museum Objects Procedure. Alberta, 16 July. 2009. Web. 11 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.conman.ualberta.ca/stellent/groups/public/@academic/documents/procedure/pp_cmp_064173.hcsp>.
"The Accreditation Standards and Related Policies." Association of Zoo and Aquariums. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.