Hailee:

In fact, quite the reverse.  The Museum is a non-profit entity whose 
exhibition schedule should *not* be influenced by the potential for 
sales.  Our Board decided some years ago that we would not take a 
percentage or any kickback from artists who sell works while they are on 
exhibit here.  The slippery slope argument says that eventually your 
exhibition schedule will be full of Norman Rockwell lithographs and 
whichever local painter is the current decorator favorite, not because 
of their quality but because of their profit potential.   This serves 
only the bottom line, and not the educational mission of an art museum. 

I'm sure there is something more official on this topic at the AAM 
website on curatorial ethics, but that's my knee-jerk response.

Jill R. Chancey, PhD

Curator
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
PO Box 1108
Laurel, MS 39440
www.LRMA.org
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Hailee Northern wrote:
> A question was recently posed at an exhibition development meeting that was
> most disturbing.  If a painting has been sold due to its exposure in a
> museum exhibition, shouldn't the museum profit from this in some way such as
> the gallery or artist buying a membership or other non-ethical means.  I
> need to refute this idea and quick.  Can people please provide comments,
> analogies or even better museums who have tried this... anecdotes.
>
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