Two articles- one regarding loss of accreditation and one regarding what
collections were sold in spring of 2002.
From Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff AZ.
Sale costs MNA
accreditation
By SETH MULLER
Sun Staff Reporter
12/17/2003
The Museum of Northern Arizona announced Tuesday that the American
Association of Museums revoked its accreditation -- another consequence of
decisions made during the institution's worst financial crisis in its
75-year history.
The Association reportedly pulled the accreditation solely because of the
museum's sale of 21 paintings and Native American rugs and blankets from
its collection, which violates ethical standards set by the AAM. The sale
was made in April 2002 and generated $947,115, which was used to keep the
museum solvent during a financial crisis that threatened its closure.
"Legally, it doesn't change much," said Robert Breunig, the museum's new
director, who started full-time on Dec. 6. "We can still apply for grants
and funding. This is more of a perception thing. It looks bad to have
something and then lose it. It's something we very much want to get back."
The museum will have to wait a full year before it can re-apply for the
accreditation, and there's no guarantee that it will get reinstated at that
time.
In a Tuesday phone interview with the Daily Sun, Association Director Ed
Able said that although MNA no longer held accreditation, he believed the
museum should receive continued support from the community.
He applauded the Board of Trustees' decision to hire Breunig, whom he
called a "seniored and respected member of the museum community."
"It is my opinion that the institution's
management and board deserves total support, both public support and
financial support, in order to bring the institution back to an
organization that serves it community," Able said. "The museum has a long
and storied tradition as an institution. Personally, I have enormous
confidence in its current board and director."
The accreditation is done voluntarily and is used as a seal of approval
from the association.
It communicates to funding sources and other museums that an institution
follows all the accepted ethical standards and best practices of
professional museums.
In June, Able had given a preview of the AAM's pending disaccreditation of
MNA. Speaking generally and not referring directly to MNA, Able told the
Daily Sun it was unethical for trustees to sell collections to fund
operating expenses because the items are kept in "public trust."
"More than 80 percent of museum objects are donated. Those objects are
donated to museums with the intent that they become part of the public
domain," Able said. "That's the intent of the donor. Also, collections are
at the heart of our mission; we're about the business of object-based
learning. They are not disposable assets," Able said.
He said items can be sold only to help upgrade or purchase new items for a
collection. But the sale should be at public auction through a major
auction house -- guidelines MNA failed to follow.
Breunig concedes that without the accreditation, the museum will face an
added challenge as it seeks to re-establish itself financially. He said he
plans to approach private individuals interested in making a "long-term
investment to help stability" for the museum.
The loss of accreditation is another harsh blow for MNA after a year of
unrest.
In early July, the seated, 16-member Board of Trustees resigned, along with
director Bob Baughman, after museum members questioned their leadership in
light of the institution's financial turmoil.
However, the museum has made steps toward regaining financial stability and
confidence of its members. In early November, Ted Danson of the television
series "Cheers" led a fundraiser that generated $64,000. He's slated to
return for another fund-raising engagement in the spring. His wife, actress
Mary Steenburgen, also is expected to join him again.
Further, the museum is finishing up a memorandum of understanding with the
funding sources of the paleontology chair at MNA. As part of the
controversy, paleontologist David Gillette lost his position as the chair
earlier this year.
Breunig said that Gillette was rehired in mid-November, and the matter will
be resolved once the memorandum is completed and signed within the coming
days.
And, this time next year, Breunig is committed to reclaiming the
Association's trust.
"I am personally committed to getting our accreditation back," he said.
The new Board of Trustees has demonstrated an interest into keeping this
accreditation, as well. After they won their seats with a July 26 election,
they, among other actions, created an "AAM Accreditation Committee" to
address the issue.
Reporter Seth Muller can be reached at 913-8607 or [log in to unmask]
What was sold?
12/17/2003
Along with announcing the loss of accreditation from the American
Association of Museums, the Museum of Northern Arizona released for the
first time the list of the 21 items sold from its collections in April
2002. The selling of a museum's collection to boost the budget falls out of
the scope of the AAM's best practices, and was a result of the
accreditation loss.
The items were sold for a total of $947,115. No information was given on
the buyer.
Artwork:
Towards Kaibito. Oil on board painting by L. Maynard Dixon (1923)
Lone Hopi Priest. Graphite on paper by L. Maynard Dixon (no date)
Canyon de Chelly.
Oil on canvas by Edgar A. Payne (no date)
Canyon Depths. Oil on canvas painting by Edgar A. Payne (no date)
Cloud Shadows over Monument Valley. Oil on canvas painting by Edgar A.
Payne. (no date)
Surprised. Oil on canvas painting by Eanger Irving Couse. (no date)
Petrified Forest. Oil on canvas painting by William R. Leigh (1946)
Desert Country. Oil on canvas painting by William R. Leigh. (1911)
Grand Canyon Scene. Oil on canvas painting by Edward H. Potthast (1910)
Grand Canyon. Woodcut by Gustave Baumann (1930)
The Tower of Bonito. Oil on canvas by Warren E. Rollins (no date)
Troopers Singing the Medicine Song. Gouache and ink rendering by Fredric S.
Remington (no date)
Textiles:
Acoma embroidered manta, circa 1860
Navajo late classic child's blanket, circa 1870
Six Navajo sandpainting rugs, all circa 1930
Navajo pulled warp blanket, circa 189
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