For the record, we are certainly aware of the ethical issues involved in this process and are very careful about even the perception of conflict of interest. We absolutely would never provide an appraisal for a donor.  I had never heard of a 60 day limit and this is the second time in a month, that someone has mentioned it to us.

Gail Kana Anderson
Assistant Director/Curator of Collections
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
The University of Oklahoma
410 W. Boyd St.
Norman, OK 73019
405.325.3272; fax 405.325.7696
[log in to unmask]

> ----------
> From:         Museum discussion list on behalf of George Garner
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Wednesday, March 17, 2004 3:53 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: 60 day limit on Appraisals
> 
> Forgive me, your word choice suggests that your museum is providing the appraisal for an artifact donated. I know nothing about a sixty day rule, but I know that your museum should not be appraising the object. It is the responsibility of the donor to locate and secure an independent appraiser. For your museum to appraise a donated object would infer a conflict of interest. What's to stop the museum from inflating the price and giving your donor a sweeter tax break? 
>  
> Certainly an outside appraiser could do the same, but your museum remains away from the fray. Do not even offer services of an appraiser, or any list other than that from the phone book or professional organization. Your museum must remain neutral, and if the donor chooses to pad the appraisal, so be it.
>  
> Apologies if I misinterpreted your message and told you things you already know. Furthermore, I cannot say I've ever heard of a sixty day time limit; however, my last curator job was at a museum where objects were so inexpensive, no one chose took advantage of the tax write-off. 
>  
> Best,
> 
> George Garner
> Director of Exhibitions
> Northern Indiana Center for History
> [log in to unmask] // (574) 235-9664 x255
>  
>  
>  
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
>       From: Anderson, Gail K. 
>       To: [log in to unmask] 
>       Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 4:44 PM
>       Subject: 60 day limit on Appraisals
> 
> 
>       Hello.  Does anyone have information on the 60 day limit for appraisals on contributions to museums?  I don't think I have ever heard of this but for the second time in a month someone has told us that their accountant said the appraisal must take place within 60 days of the gift.
> 
>       I thank you in advance.
> 
>       Gail Kana Anderson
>       Assistant Director
>       Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
>       The University of Oklahoma 
> 
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