Why Do Museums Deaccession? Understanding the Practice Behind Selling Museum Collections
The word "deaccession" might sound a bit formal, even a little intimidating. For many of us, museums are seen as places where treasures are carefully preserved for eternity. So, the idea that a museum might actually sell off pieces of its collection can be surprising, even unsettling. But deaccessioning is a real and sometimes necessary practice for museums. Let's dive into why museums deaccession, what it means, and why it's not as simple as it seems.
What Exactly is Deaccessioning?
At its core, deaccessioning is the process by which a museum removes an object from its collection. This doesn't just happen randomly. It's a formal, often lengthy, and meticulously documented procedure governed by strict ethical guidelines and professional standards, typically set by organizations like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Think of it like this: a museum's collection is its intellectual and cultural heart. Deaccessioning is like a carefully considered medical procedure to ensure the health and future of the organism. It’s not about discarding or getting rid of things carelessly.
Why Do Museums Deaccession? The Primary Drivers
Museums deaccession for a variety of well-reasoned, though sometimes controversial, purposes. The primary motivations often boil down to ensuring the long-term sustainability and relevance of the institution and its remaining collections.
- Financial Necessity: This is perhaps the most discussed, and sometimes criticized, reason. Museums, like many non-profit organizations, face ongoing financial pressures. They need funds for everything: acquiring new objects, preserving existing ones (which is incredibly costly and requires specialized staff and climate-controlled environments), paying staff, running educational programs, and maintaining the physical building. In some cases, selling an object can provide a crucial influx of cash to cover these operational costs or to fund new acquisitions that better align with the museum's mission. It's important to note that ethical guidelines often dictate that funds from deaccessioned objects should be used for the direct care of the collection (e.g., conservation, new acquisitions) rather than general operating expenses, though this is a point of ongoing debate within the museum field.
- Redundancy and Duplication: Museums often acquire objects over time. Sometimes, through gifts or purchases, a museum might end up with multiple items that are very similar, or even identical, in subject matter, artist, or historical period. If these redundant objects don't significantly add to the breadth or depth of the collection's story, or if they take up valuable space and resources that could be better used elsewhere, they may be considered for deaccession. The goal is to maintain a focused and meaningful collection, not simply to accumulate items.
- Objects Not Aligning with the Museum's Mission: Museums have specific missions and collecting areas. As these missions evolve, or as research sheds new light on an object's provenance or significance, it's possible that certain items may no longer fit the institution's core purpose. For example, a historical society focused on local industry might decide to deaccession an object that is historically significant but not directly related to its specific geographic or thematic focus. This allows the museum to concentrate its resources on what it does best.
- Poor Condition or Lack of Significance: Sometimes, an object may be in such poor condition that it is beyond economical or feasible conservation. In other instances, through further research, an object may be found to have less historical or artistic significance than initially believed. If the cost and effort to maintain and display such an object outweigh its value to the collection and its research potential, it might be deaccessioned.
- Fulfillment of Legal or Ethical Obligations: Museums are increasingly grappling with the provenance of their collections, particularly regarding items that may have been looted during wartime, acquired through unethical means, or are associated with cultural patrimony that should be returned to their communities of origin. Deaccessioning can be a way to rectify past wrongs or fulfill legal and ethical responsibilities to return objects to their rightful owners or source communities.
The Process: A Closer Look at How it Happens
Deaccessioning is not a quick decision. It involves a multi-step process, often taking months or even years:
- Identification: Museum curators and collections managers identify objects that may be candidates for deaccession based on the criteria mentioned above.
- Research and Documentation: Extensive research is conducted to ensure the object's history, significance, and provenance are fully understood. This documentation is crucial.
- Internal Review: The proposed deaccession is reviewed by various internal committees, including curatorial staff and potentially an acquisitions committee.
- Board Approval: Ultimately, the museum's Board of Trustees or Directors must formally approve the deaccession. This is a significant step that underscores the gravity of the decision.
- Disposal: Once approved, the object can be disposed of. This might involve selling it through an auction house (which can provide a transparent market value), transferring it to another collecting institution (especially if it is deemed to be a better fit for that institution's mission), or, in rare cases, destroying it if it has no remaining value and poses a safety risk.
Ethical Considerations and Controversies
While deaccessioning is a legitimate tool, it's also a topic that sparks considerable debate and scrutiny within the museum community and among the public. The core of the controversy often revolves around the use of funds generated from deaccessioned objects.
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has ethical guidelines that generally state proceeds from deaccessioned art should be used for the acquisition of new works or the direct care of the existing collection, not for general operating expenses or capital improvements. However, the interpretation and application of these guidelines can vary, and some museums have faced criticism for using deaccessioning funds in ways that are perceived to be contrary to the spirit of these ethical standards.
The argument for using deaccessioning funds for operating expenses is that the long-term survival of the museum and its ability to care for its remaining collection *are* directly tied to its financial health. Without sufficient funds for staffing, utilities, and building maintenance, even the most beloved objects are at risk. This pragmatic approach can be seen as a necessary evil for institutional survival.
Another concern is that deaccessioning could lead to the dispersal of culturally or historically important items from public view, making them inaccessible to researchers and the general public. This is why the process is typically transparent and why many museums prefer to sell to other public institutions when possible.
The Takeaway
Deaccessioning is a complex and often difficult decision for museums. It's not about museums being frivolous or greedy. Instead, it's a tool that, when used thoughtfully and ethically, can help museums remain financially sound, relevant, and capable of fulfilling their core mission: to preserve, interpret, and share human knowledge and creativity for the benefit of present and future generations. The goal is always to strengthen the collection as a whole and ensure the museum's enduring ability to serve the public.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do museums decide which objects to deaccession?
Museums decide which objects to deaccession through a rigorous internal process. This involves assessing if an object is redundant, no longer fits the museum's mission, is in irreparable condition, or has diminished significance. Curators and collections staff conduct thorough research, and proposed deaccessions must receive approval from the museum's board of directors.
Why do museums sell items from their collections?
Museums sell items from their collections primarily to generate funds for crucial needs such as conservation of existing objects, acquisition of new pieces that enhance the collection, or in some debated cases, to cover essential operating expenses. This can also occur when an object is redundant, no longer aligns with the museum's mission, or is beyond repair.
Is deaccessioning common?
Deaccessioning is a common practice within the museum field, though the frequency and specific reasons can vary greatly between institutions. It is a tool used by museums to manage their collections effectively and ensure their financial stability. While common, it is also a process that is carefully regulated by ethical guidelines and often scrutinized by the public.
