Liz,

If all else fails, call the executive committee of your board, they are
liable as well for what occurs within the organization that they
represent.  It probably is not your position to directly contact board
members, but it is your responsibility to protect the collection as
outlined in the policies and procedures that the board voted on and
approved.  Even if this contributor is a board member, you can document
that you did everything under your ability to thwart the loan.  Let them
know that you are unable to perform your duties as outlined and you are
communicating as the primary advocate for the collection... not to
mention 501(c)3 status, AAM accreditation (if you are), public trust,
etc.  If this would ever get out to the public your museum would have
case studies are conferences and in text books on the rights and wrongs
of loans.

-Scott


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Liz B
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 10:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Art Loans to Individuals?

Hello,
I am the Curator at a museum associated with a major national
non-profit. Our 
museum has a large art collection including many paintings by Norman 
Rockwell. We typically only loan these works to other museums, but this
week 
I was asked (or should I say told) to loan one of the Rockwells to a
large $$ 
donor to display in his home until 2010. I offered other solutions such
as 
having a very high quality reproduction made for him to keep, but this
was 
rejected. All of my explanations as to why this is a bad idea are
laughed off 
and I am made to feel that I am overreacting. The painting was promised
to 
the donor by our Fundraising Division with no consultation to the
museum. My 
director understands my reluctance, but is not willing to put her foot
down 
and say no to them. Does anyone know of any type of formal written 
statement issued by a museum organization that says this is a no-no? I
have 
searched but was unable to find anything official. I am so worried about
the 
door we are opening if we go through with this loan! Am I overreacting
in this 
situation?? Anyone dealt with anything similar and have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Liz

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