Art show or art exhibition? Items in an exhibition are not for sale and the reason for it (the exhibition) should be mission driven. An art show has works for sale and this is something that can be done at a museum (offer gallery space to a local art association or group) and host the art show. At an art show it is customary to charge a commission for any works sold. Hosting shows are done primarily to broaden your audience base, create a buzz and increase exposure; and perhaps make a few dollars where this might be a partial fundraiser (money). Exhibits are done as an activity because that's what museums do (mission). Sorry, hate to get philisophical but there is a difference and hopefully this will help.

Good luck,

Grant Gerlich

Georgia's Old Capital Museum

From:  Jill Chancey <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:  Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
To:  [log in to unmask]
Subject:  Re: Exhibition ethics
Date:  Fri, 1 Sep 2006 14:11:14 -0500
>Hailee:
>
>In fact, quite the reverse.  The Museum is a non-profit entity whose
>exhibition schedule should *not* be influenced by the potential for
>sales.  Our Board decided some years ago that we would not take a
>percentage or any kickback from artists who sell works while they
>are on exhibit here.  The slippery slope argument says that
>eventually your exhibition schedule will be full of Norman Rockwell
>lithographs and whichever local painter is the current decorator
>favorite, not because of their quality but because of their profit
>potential.   This serves only the bottom line, and not the
>educational mission of an art museum.
>
>I'm sure there is something more official on this topic at the AAM
>website on curatorial ethics, but that's my knee-jerk response.
>
>Jill R. Chancey, PhD
>
>Curator
>Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
>PO Box 1108
>Laurel, MS 39440
>www.LRMA.org
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>Hailee Northern wrote:
>>A question was recently posed at an exhibition development meeting
>>that was
>>most disturbing.  If a painting has been sold due to its exposure
>>in a
>>museum exhibition, shouldn't the museum profit from this in some
>>way such as
>>the gallery or artist buying a membership or other non-ethical
>>means.  I
>>need to refute this idea and quick.  Can people please provide
>>comments,
>>analogies or even better museums who have tried this... anecdotes.
>>
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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] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

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