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Donate Artwork

All donations inquiries must begin with University Advancement.

It is the Director’s responsibility to add works of art to the collection and their decision for acceptance is firmly guided by the Department’s mission and strategic plan and its declared collection goals. The Director is responsible for the collection’s enhancement and expansion. Additionally, the Director has a standing Accessions Committee to offer advice and serve as a sounding board for decisions. When appropriate, the Director will consult with experts, scholars, legal counsel, and other persons as they may see fit.

Potential acquisitions to the Collection shall be referred to the Director then go before the Accessions Committee for review. If the item is delivered to the University, it shall be treated as a custody item pending final action.

It is the general policy of the University that no object may be accessed unless its ownership by the University will be free of all restrictions and conditions. It is recognized that exceptional circumstances may arise in which strict enforcement of this general policy would not be in the best interests of the University. Any such exception must, however, have the advance consent of the Director with the advice of the Accessions Committee. Every attempt should be made to hold restrictions or conditions to a practical minimum and to obtain the consent of the donor that the restrictions will terminate after a finite time limit. Under no circumstances will the University agree to conditions requiring the retention or display of an object or collection in perpetuity. If any restrictions or conditions are accepted, they must be in writing executed by both the donor and the Director on the Deed of Gift and must be included in the object’s records.

  • Objects acquired by the University must complement the existing collection or substantially offer a wholly filed for the collections; fill presently existing gaps in the collection, and are relevant to and consistent with purposes and programs of the Department
  • The Department is committed to acquiring only works for which it can provide proper storage and care.
  • The University shall not accept any item if substantial doubt exists about the donor’s ownership of the item or the donor’s ability to transfer legal title.
  • The Department will make efforts to obtain information concerning the object’s history of ownership. When an object is of foreign origin, research will be conducted to ensure it has not been illegally imported into the United States and that there are no legal or ethical considerations, which would make its accession
  • An object must be of museum quality and proven to be authentic beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Before the Accessions Committee meeting, the Director will note any conservation, repair, display, and maintenance costs for consideration in determining whether or not the work is acceptable for acquisition. Outside conservators may be consulted for this purpose.

Bequests

All donations inquiries must begin with University Advancement.

  • The Director and Accession Committee review objects bequeathed to the University in the same manner as donations.
  • Upon notification to the University that it is a beneficiary under a will, the Director shall obtain a copy of the section of the will that outlines the bequest, and pictures of the object(s) when
  • Acceptance of a bequest requires the advice of the Accessions Committee.
  • Should a bequest not possess sufficient merit for inclusion in the collection, the University may request that the bequest be made with full understanding that the object(s) can be sold and the proceeds used to the benefit of the Collection as determined by the Director. In the case of a group of objects, the Department may accept some and refuse, sell, or trade
  • Proposals for potential bequest are to be referred to the Director and Accessions Committee for review.