There are a number of issues involved in this question.  Some have different
"answers" in the U.S. than in other countries because of the unique nature
of the U.S. not-for-profit sector.   Many museums and organizations are
addressing how to make use of un-exhibited objects.   As a case in point, in
one day I got a mailing from the Museum Loan Network, which provides grants
for museums to lend their un-exhibited objects to other museums, and a
company that arranges for museums to lease their un-exhibited objects to
private corporations.

The issue that I would like to address, however, is the concept of "long
term loan".   Loans without clear termination or renewal dates cause the
most amazing problems in terms of collections management.   In the U.S. it
has become necessary to pass state-by-state legislation to solve the
problems engendered by "old loans" where the loan has gone on for so long
without contact between the lender and borrower that no one remembers (or
can find!) the other party to actually terminate the loan and either return
or retrieve the objects.   I would strongly suggest that whatever agreement
is entered into, that it be written for an absolute maximum of five years
with the option of renewal at that point.   THere is some very good written
information on this point in the New Museum Registration Methods (published
by AAM)  by Ildiko DeAngelis (pp 281-287).

Janice Klein
Director
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Kendall College
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-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Trowles <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, May 04, 2000 6:19 AM
Subject: Long term Museum loans


>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Does anyone have any comments/experience regarding the long term loan of
>Museum objects to other museums and possibly corporate institutions in
>return for a guaranteed hire fee?
>
>We're currently looking at what to do with some duplicate items of
>high-profile Mackintosh furniture which we would otherwise keep in store.
>(In some cases, we have 20 or more chairs of exactly the same design!) We
>believe that one or more organisations might just be interested in
acquiring
>some of this work, on long term loan, to form part of their existing,
>permanent displays.
>
>Obviously, we'd need to be fully satisfied over the choice of venue, as
well
>as environmental, conservation, security and insurance issues but are there
>any obvious pitfalls?
>
>As an institution, we don't want to be seen to be lowering our professional
>standards and we don't really want to enter into an ethical minefield
>either. However, if there's an opportunity to increase our institutional
>profile (through these loans), it lessens the pressure on our own limited
>storage facilities and we also gain financially out of it, then all well
and
>good.
>
>Your comments would be much appreciated.
>Peter Trowles  M.Litt., FRSA
>Taffner Curator, Mackintosh Collection
>Glasgow School of Art
>167 Renfrew Street
>GLASGOW G3 6RQ
>SCOTLAND
>[log in to unmask]
>http://www.gsa.ac.uk
>
>Phone: +141 353 4524
>Fax: +141 353 4746
>
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