Two articles- one regarding loss of accreditation and one regarding what collections were sold in spring of 2002. From Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff AZ. Sale costs MNA accreditation By SETH MULLER Sun Staff Reporter 12/17/2003 The Museum of Northern Arizona announced Tuesday that the American Association of Museums revoked its accreditation -- another consequence of decisions made during the institution's worst financial crisis in its 75-year history. The Association reportedly pulled the accreditation solely because of the museum's sale of 21 paintings and Native American rugs and blankets from its collection, which violates ethical standards set by the AAM. The sale was made in April 2002 and generated $947,115, which was used to keep the museum solvent during a financial crisis that threatened its closure. "Legally, it doesn't change much," said Robert Breunig, the museum's new director, who started full-time on Dec. 6. "We can still apply for grants and funding. This is more of a perception thing. It looks bad to have something and then lose it. It's something we very much want to get back." The museum will have to wait a full year before it can re-apply for the accreditation, and there's no guarantee that it will get reinstated at that time. In a Tuesday phone interview with the Daily Sun, Association Director Ed Able said that although MNA no longer held accreditation, he believed the museum should receive continued support from the community. He applauded the Board of Trustees' decision to hire Breunig, whom he called a "seniored and respected member of the museum community." "It is my opinion that the institution's management and board deserves total support, both public support and financial support, in order to bring the institution back to an organization that serves it community," Able said. "The museum has a long and storied tradition as an institution. Personally, I have enormous confidence in its current board and director." The accreditation is done voluntarily and is used as a seal of approval from the association. It communicates to funding sources and other museums that an institution follows all the accepted ethical standards and best practices of professional museums. In June, Able had given a preview of the AAM's pending disaccreditation of MNA. Speaking generally and not referring directly to MNA, Able told the Daily Sun it was unethical for trustees to sell collections to fund operating expenses because the items are kept in "public trust." "More than 80 percent of museum objects are donated. Those objects are donated to museums with the intent that they become part of the public domain," Able said. "That's the intent of the donor. Also, collections are at the heart of our mission; we're about the business of object-based learning. They are not disposable assets," Able said. He said items can be sold only to help upgrade or purchase new items for a collection. But the sale should be at public auction through a major auction house -- guidelines MNA failed to follow. Breunig concedes that without the accreditation, the museum will face an added challenge as it seeks to re-establish itself financially. He said he plans to approach private individuals interested in making a "long-term investment to help stability" for the museum. The loss of accreditation is another harsh blow for MNA after a year of unrest. In early July, the seated, 16-member Board of Trustees resigned, along with director Bob Baughman, after museum members questioned their leadership in light of the institution's financial turmoil. However, the museum has made steps toward regaining financial stability and confidence of its members. In early November, Ted Danson of the television series "Cheers" led a fundraiser that generated $64,000. He's slated to return for another fund-raising engagement in the spring. His wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, also is expected to join him again. Further, the museum is finishing up a memorandum of understanding with the funding sources of the paleontology chair at MNA. As part of the controversy, paleontologist David Gillette lost his position as the chair earlier this year. Breunig said that Gillette was rehired in mid-November, and the matter will be resolved once the memorandum is completed and signed within the coming days. And, this time next year, Breunig is committed to reclaiming the Association's trust. "I am personally committed to getting our accreditation back," he said. The new Board of Trustees has demonstrated an interest into keeping this accreditation, as well. After they won their seats with a July 26 election, they, among other actions, created an "AAM Accreditation Committee" to address the issue. Reporter Seth Muller can be reached at 913-8607 or [log in to unmask] What was sold? 12/17/2003 Along with announcing the loss of accreditation from the American Association of Museums, the Museum of Northern Arizona released for the first time the list of the 21 items sold from its collections in April 2002. The selling of a museum's collection to boost the budget falls out of the scope of the AAM's best practices, and was a result of the accreditation loss. The items were sold for a total of $947,115. No information was given on the buyer. Artwork: Towards Kaibito. Oil on board painting by L. Maynard Dixon (1923) Lone Hopi Priest. Graphite on paper by L. Maynard Dixon (no date) Canyon de Chelly. Oil on canvas by Edgar A. Payne (no date) Canyon Depths. Oil on canvas painting by Edgar A. Payne (no date) Cloud Shadows over Monument Valley. Oil on canvas painting by Edgar A. Payne. (no date) Surprised. Oil on canvas painting by Eanger Irving Couse. (no date) Petrified Forest. Oil on canvas painting by William R. Leigh (1946) Desert Country. Oil on canvas painting by William R. Leigh. (1911) Grand Canyon Scene. Oil on canvas painting by Edward H. Potthast (1910) Grand Canyon. Woodcut by Gustave Baumann (1930) The Tower of Bonito. Oil on canvas by Warren E. Rollins (no date) Troopers Singing the Medicine Song. Gouache and ink rendering by Fredric S. Remington (no date) Textiles: Acoma embroidered manta, circa 1860 Navajo late classic child's blanket, circa 1870 Six Navajo sandpainting rugs, all circa 1930 Navajo pulled warp blanket, circa 189 Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . 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