Claudia,

Your situation is not unique -- many museums have wrestled with the same
problem, with donations both large and small.  A few thoughts:  could you
include a sentence in your gift agreement that indicates that there is no
assurance about exhibition of the object?  could you mount an annual
exhibition of "new acquisitions" to highlight recent gifts, and use that as a
chance to get some local p.r.?  maybe your paper in Pierre could do a feature
story on the hidden treasures of your museum's storage vaults, and give you a
chance to explain your museum's csommitment to acquistion/preservation/care
of collections in relation to exhibition of them?  maybe an article in your
museum's newsletter, if you publish one?

Anne Farrell, Development Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego