Petition to Stop the Sale of Artwork from the Berkshire Museum
In our blog post last Thursday, MALC reported on the Berkshire Museum’s deaccession plan and the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s statement against this course of action.
The Berkshire Museum is selling off art work (deaccessioning) to add to it’s endowment and that is in direct violation of international ethical standards:
“A museum may transfer an object to another museum or sell it, but if a deaccessioned object is sold, museum professional ethics require the proceeds from the sale be used only to acquire new objects for the collection or provide direct care of the collection.” http://www.aam-us.org/resources/ethics-standards-and-best-practices/questions-and-answers-about-selling-objects-from-the-collection
Specifically, the Berkshire Museum is selling off work that artist Norman Rockwell personally donated on behalf of the community he loved. The Rockwell family’s objections to the sale of his two works have so far been ignored. In addition, the Museum is selling similar important work given in trust for the benefit of the community. It is MALC’s understanding that these works are now at Sotheby’s, set to go on sale at the beginning of November.
For those who wish to take action on this matter – there is an online petition that you can sign and share with your networks:
MALC will continue to do our best to keep you informed on this matter.
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Important Reminders
The 11th Annual Artists Under the Dome Event is Wednesday, November 8th at the Massachusetts State House! For more information and to register: http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.html
AND
Please take the “By Artists For Artists” state-wide survey for Massachusetts artists of all disciplines! MALC needs your answers to help us better advocate for our community! It closes on November 1st- help spread the word!!
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