I'm not sure about all the legal issues.  And I know that this is just my
gut reaction as a person who works in collections management, but the idea
of a patron handling an artifact gives me the willies.  I know I would
suggest that they tell the museum what measurements they would want and then
let a museum representative take the measurements.  I know I would just feel
better knowing that a more experienced/trained person is handling the
object.

Something else you might want to consider is finding some good furniture
building books that have patterns for furniture similiar to yours.  There
are a lot of books out there that deal with how to build "antique" or shaker
style furniture.  Then you could sell these in your gift shop (provided you
have one) and possibly make a little money for the museum budget.

Heather Marie Wells

>From: Jenna Carroll-Plante <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Requests for Photographs by Artists/Furniture Makers
>Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 08:22:01 -0400
>
>Hello All-
>
>I am looking to revamp our photograph agreement policy to address the many
>requests we receive each year from artists and furniture makers who would
>like to take close-up images and/or take measurements of specific artifacts
>in the collection in order to create a work of art or to reproduce a piece
>of furniture.  Currently, we do not allow visitors to take interior shots
>but will grant permission to use OUR object images for publication or
>educational/personal use.  We also recognize that it's well within anyone's
>right to make something on their own after they have taken a tour or seen
>an
>image in a book.  I would like to accommodate artistic expression
>especially
>since so many people are 'inspired' by Shaker objects.  If we are to create
>an agreement form wherein we allow measurements and close-up photographs of
>one of our artifacts as personal research for art work or reproductions,
>what are the issues we have to face?  At what point does a furniture
>reproduction become a commercial venture?  If a work of art sells does that
>necessarily mean it's become a for-profit request and rather than an
>educational/personal use request?  How can museums retain the historical
>integrity of and rights to their objects while making them accessible to
>the
>broadest audience?  How many other museums deal with this topic on an
>ongoing basis?  Are there books or reference materials you recommend
>addressing this issue?
>
>Thanks, Jenna
>
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