In other words, perception is reality.  Here's the potential headline:
"Local History Museum Discards Donations."  You should have a staff
discussion on how to respond to the inevitable public reaction.  Write
up talking points if you have to, then structure a release (rather than
a reactive institutional statement) that tells a positive story about
how your institution is refining its collection and making sure that
what you hold is based in verifiable facts. Deaccessions happen.  It's
not illegal or unethical.  It's actually part of a museum's duty to the
public to make those kinds of decisions.

 

It is rule #1 of media relations that whoever tells the story first,
gets to tell it their way.  The other side is, rightly or wrongly, put
in the defensive position.  That is not where you want to be, because
defenders almost always lose out in the court of public opinion and, as
Indigo notes, the repercussions can be huge.  I am put in mind of the
recently-discussed situation of the Texas teacher allegedly dismissed
because she exposed her students to nude art on a museum field trip.  It
turned out that there was way more to that story, but since the teacher
put herself in charge of the publicity, she was able to spin it her way.
And that's the way everyone will forever recall it.

 

 

Julia Muney Moore

Public Art Administrator

Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN

(317) 875-5500 x230

 

________________________________

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Gayle "Indigo Nights"
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 12:21 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Strange situation

 

...(snipped)

 

While it's not important in the grand scheme of things that I understand
deaccessioning (which, thanks to your info below, I have a better
understanding thereof), it can be important if deaccessioned items are
perceived to be trashed treasures.  A story in a periodical offered to
an ignorant reporter by an incensed volunteer could have financial and
public relations consequences to the institution.  ....(snipped)  If you
don't listen for the warnings of the canary, the insitutions could get
the shaft.  It is, after all, the canaries who help to sustain your
salary.


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