Hello All-
I am looking to revamp our photograph agreement policy to address the many requests we receive each year from artists and furniture makers who would like to take close-up images and/or take measurements of specific artifacts in the collection in order to create a work of art or to reproduce a piece of furniture. Currently, we do not allow visitors to take interior shots but will grant permission to use OUR object images for publication or educational/personal use. We also recognize that it's well within anyone's right to make something on their own after they have taken a tour or seen an image in a book. I would like to accommodate artistic expression especially since so many people are 'inspired' by Shaker objects. If we are to create an agreement form wherein we allow measurements and close-up photographs of one of our artifacts as personal research for art work or reproductions, what are the issues we have to face? At what point does a furniture reproduction become a commercial venture? If a work of art sells does that necessarily mean it's become a for-profit request and rather than an educational/personal use request? How can museums retain the historical integrity of and rights to their objects while making them accessible to the broadest audience? How many other museums deal with this topic on an ongoing basis? Are there books or reference materials you recommend addressing this issue?
Thanks, Jenna