Bernard - I think lots of us are interested in this question. If you
get replies off-list, would you mind summarizing or forwarding them
back? Thanks!  Karen.

> The Stanford University Museum of Art has been reviewing its
> practices and its language regarding credit lines and/or donor
> acknowledgements on objects.  We are seeking guidance, alternative,
> and food for thought regarding appropriate and ethical phrasing in
> the following circumstances:
>
> When a living donor signs a deed of gift, or when a benefactor
> arranges promised bequest, we agree on the proper language for the
> credit line, e.g. Gift of A. Donor, in honor of Blah, Blah, so that
> is settled.
>
> But what do you do with the credit line when that object is
> deaccessioned.  At SUMA, we use all funds realized  to acquire art,
> and we also make a conscientious effort to use the funds in an area
> related to the original gift, thus African for African art.
>
> Our question arises from a desire to precisely identify the new
> acquisition with maximum delicacy .  We cannot accurate identify the
> new acquisition as  "Gift of A. Donor," nor do we really want a
> public credit line reading, "Museum purchase with funds realized
> from deaccessioning a gift from A. Donor."  Such an acknowledgment
> might well be off-putting to potential benefactors.
>
> We have observed in some museums the phrase, "Gift of A. Donor, by
> exchange" but we prefer to reserved the "by exchange" notice for
> objects in fact acquired by exchange with other institutions (a
> practice we recommend to museums engaged in deaccessioning).  Also,
> this still falsely implies that the object on display was given by
> A. Donor.
>
> One possiblity we have generated is:  "Museum purchase through the
> generosity of A. Donor."
>
> In conclusion, I would welcome examples of credit lines used in
> other institutions that both properly identify objects and also
> offer mimimum offense.
>
> Thank you very much for your advice and good consul.
>
> Please respond off-list unless you believe this is an issue of
> general concern.
>
> Bernard Barryte
> Stanford University Museum of Art
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> To:  [log in to unmask]
>
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Karen W. Anderson, Registrar
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
Canyon, Texas, USA
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