Liz,
You are completely right to not want to loan museum objects to any
individual.  There are sources on AAM's website about how museums hold
their collections in the public trust.  From the AAM code of ethics found
on the AAM website:  "Museums in the United States are grounded in the
tradition of public service. They are organized as public trusts, holding
their collections and information as a benefit for those they were
established to serve. Members of their governing authority, employees, and
volunteers are committed to the interests of these beneficiaries. The law
provides the basic framework for museum operations. As nonprofit
institutions, museums comply with applicable local, state, and federal
laws and international conventions, as well as with the specific legal
standards governing trust responsibilities. This Code of Ethics for
Museums takes that compliance as given. But legal standards are a minimum.
Museums and those responsible for them must do more than avoid legal
liability, they must take affirmative steps to maintain their integrity so
as to warrant public confidence. They must act not only legally but also
ethically. This Code of Ethics for Museums, therefore, outlines ethical
standards that frequently exceed legal minimums."

The only way really that an object could go to an individual is when they
are deaccessioned and are sold at public auction and often this is used as
a last resort.  The fact that this person is a donor of large amounts of
money shouldn't sway anyone's position on this.  I like the idea of having
a high quality reproduction made of the painting for the donor.

Beau Harris




> Hello,
> I am the Curator at a museum associated with a major national non-profit.
> Our
> museum has a large art collection including many paintings by Norman
> Rockwell. We typically only loan these works to other museums, but this
> week
> I was asked (or should I say told) to loan one of the Rockwells to a large
> $$
> donor to display in his home until 2010. I offered other solutions such as
> having a very high quality reproduction made for him to keep, but this was
> rejected. All of my explanations as to why this is a bad idea are laughed
> off
> and I am made to feel that I am overreacting. The painting was promised to
> the donor by our Fundraising Division with no consultation to the museum.
> My
> director understands my reluctance, but is not willing to put her foot
> down
> and say no to them. Does anyone know of any type of formal written
> statement issued by a museum organization that says this is a no-no? I
> have
> searched but was unable to find anything official. I am so worried about
> the
> door we are opening if we go through with this loan! Am I overreacting in
> this
> situation?? Anyone dealt with anything similar and have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Liz
>
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