Elizabeth Licata <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Does anyone have an institutional curatorial ethics policy other than what
>A.A.M. provides? (or more specific) I am particularly interested in a policy
>regarding gifts to curators.

The Code of Ethics for AASLH  mentions that a conflict of interest may
arise when museum employees personally collect items that are similar
to what their institution collects.  I would surmise that this type of
"conflict of interest" would also arise in the form of gifts to a
curator.

On a personal level, I was offered a gift of several pictures taken
during WWII.  I REALLY wanted these pictures, but instead turned them
over to the museum.  I can still go look at them whenever I want, and
there can be no conflict of interests.

Jim McCrain
Chief Curator
Old City Park
Dallas, Texas
[log in to unmask]