Case Study Boca Raton

Boca Raton Museum of Art
Collections Management Policy – Acquisition and Deaccession

ACQUISITIONS: The Boca Raton Museum of Art will review all works that are suggested for acquisition if they are relevant to the scope of the current collection and to the mission of the institution. The Collection Committee must approve the recommendation and also determine if the object is in acceptable condition (unless deterioration is integral to the history of the object) and able to house and care for the item. A clear legal title must be established before an object is considered for acquisition. Acquisitions can be made by purchase, gift, bequest, or loan. The Boca Raton Museum of Art adheres to the American Alliance of Museum’s Code of Ethics.

Any acquired pieces under $20,000 will then be disclosed to the Board of Trustees at the following meeting. If the piece of art is valued over $20,001, the Collection Committee must bring it to the Board of Trustees for review. The Collection Committee must present the work and all information regarding the reasons to purchase the piece and any related future expenses that are attached to it.
GIFTS or BEQUESTS PROCEDURES: The Collection Committee must attain a “Deed of Gift” form with all detailed information regarding the intended gift. This information will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval of all gifts. The Boca Raton Museum of Art will not receive gifts with restrictions. The museum will require that the donor transfer all rights and will research the provenance of an object before acquisition, to obtain a clear

When deaccessioning objects from its collection, the museum follows the highest ethical standards established by the American Alliance of Museum’s Code of Ethics. Objects may be removed as a way to refine the museum’s collection and ensure that the collections reflect the mission. The Collection Committee may deaccession an object that: no longer fits the museum’s mission, it is redundant or a duplicate, it is of lesser quality than other objects in a similar collection, it lacks historical importance, it must be returned to its rightful owner, or the museum is no longer able to properly care or store the object. Items may be removed by trade, disposal, or sale. An employee, trustee, volunteer, or family member of the museum employee may not purchase a deaccessioned item if it were to be put for sale or auction. The museum must hold clear ownership title before removing an item from its collection. All proceeds from the sale of a deaccessioned item will be used to fund the purchase of other works that fit the museum’s mission in accordance to the accessioning procedures. If a donated or gifted item is to be deaccessioned, the donor or their heirs will be consulted. Works of art created by a living artist should not be deaccessioned without consent from the artist. If the work is valued over $20,001 the Collection