Dear Colleagues,
The sale of collections by Randolph College to boost its endowment is
deeply disturbing and the Association of College and University Museums
and Galleries, President and Board of Directors, has issued the
statement of condemnation below. Please contact ACUMG President, Lisa
Hanover or other ACUMG Board members with comments or questions.
Sincerely,
Stefan Sommer
Dr. Stefan Sommer
Vice President, Association of College and University Museums and
Galleries, www.ACUMG.org
Director of Education, Merriam-Powell Center, www.mpcer.nau.edu
Director, Colorado Plateau Biodiversity Collections, www.mpcer.nau.edu/cpbc
Northern Arizona University
Campus Box 5640
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Office: (928) 523-4463
FAX: (928) 523-7500
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
ACUMG / Association of College and University Museums and Galleries
9 October 2007
The Association of College and University Museums & Galleries (ACUMG),
which represents over 400 institutions across the country, joins the
Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) in its statement of
condemnation for the proposed sale of four paintings from Randolph
College’s Maier Museum of Art in order to bolster the general endowment
fund. Further, ACUMG also questions the methodology used to remove the
works from the Maier Museum of Art.
Counter to the formal communications issued by the President’s Office at
Randolph College, there has been little transparency in the discussions
and no credence given to the recommendations given by arts and culture
professionals engaged to advise the process. Such a position by the
Trustees and the President significantly impact the ability of the Maier
Museum of Art to be accreditable by the American Association of Museums
(AAM). It also significantly compromises the future leadership of the
museum since no credible professional would take a position with the
knowledge that the permanent collection is viewed as a savior for fiscal
issues affecting Randolph College.
Art and cultural collections - in the public trust under the aegis of
academic museums - support the pedagogical program of the college's
mission. Thus, the value of a Randolph College education has been
compromised by this decision. Such an action is counter to the ethical
and professional standards established by the museum field and sets a
dangerous precedent that threatens the viability and integrity of all
university collections.
We stand ready to help the institution navigate this issue which has an
impact that is greater than the perceived economic benefits.
On behalf of the ACUMG Board of Directors and Membership
Lisa Tremper Hanover, President ACUMG
c/o Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College
PO Box 1000
Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426
610-409-3500
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