While I cannot speak on behalf of all publicly-funded museums, I can relate the experiences of my own institution - a state museum, supported in-part by a civilian tax base.

This institution acquires new objects in a variety of ways:
1.  Object donations from corporate or individual donors.
2.  Acquisition fund-raisers organized by an affiliated non-profit support group (which is not supported by the civilian tax base).
3.  Staff field work (for scientific or archaeological specimens).
4.  At one time the state DID contribute public funds for the acquisition of objects relative to the state's decorative or fine arts legacy, but this has not been the case for about a decade.
5.  Designated repository for salvaged archaeological materials from publicly supported highway/construction projects.
6.  Encouragement of academics to deposit objects with the museum following publication (we will provide a catalogue number to be used in publication) if this "promissory arrangement" is agreed upon by both parties.
7.  Bequests from estates.
8.  Auction purchases.
9.  The funds from deaccessioned objects are used solely for acquisitions of objects, but to date this  procedure has played a very minor role in the whole scheme of acquisitions.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but this will at least get you started.   I'm not surprized that the public thinks their public-supported museums are generously funded.   Over the last decade I have seen this institution enter a kind of "never-never land" - where the museum is
encouraged to be a self sufficient as possible but without approval to actively solicit funds except from government or foundation grants.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Shirley Albright
New Jersey State Museum
Trenton, NJ

mnh wrote:

> I am looking to do some reading on where publicly-funded museums in the US
> get the money to acquire new objects.  (I assume that most objects are
> donated, and have guessed that most funds to acquire new objects are
> donated, also, but is this always the case?)
>
> The subject came up over the holidays in conversation with family members
> who were surprised to hear me say that public money generally goes to
> support museum operations, but not acquisitions.
>
> Now I am wondering if I know what I'm talking about.  I couldn't tell them
> exactly how I knew this, or where I had learned it -- I think I've
> generalized from a few isolated articles or conversations with curators.
> (I'm a graduate student in art history, not a museum professional.)
>
> It seems to me to be an important point to clear up (especially in light of
> recurring battles in the culture wars) and I'd like to be better-informed
> about funding of cultural institutions in general.
>
> Can anyone suggest good sources of information?
>
> Martha Hagood
> Baltimore
>
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