Creating a Collection: A Tour Through the Smith College Museum of Art

Purposeful Use of Funds

If a museum decides to sell its artwork, it must use the money it makes for "acquisition or direct care of collections." This means, a museum must buy new artwork or--in some cases--use the money to support conservation or care of artworks already in the collection. 

Again, Betye Saar's Ancestral Spirit Chair is a great example of this. 

Purchased with funds realized from the sale of a work donated by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Rittmaster (Sylvian Goodkind, class of 1937) in 1958 and with funds realized from the sale of a work donated by Adeline Flint Wing, class of 1898, and Caroline Roberta Wing, class of 1896, in 1961

 

When a museum tries to break this rule, it can get in serious trouble with the AAMD. Consequences are that the museum cannot borrow works from other museums, including traveling exhibitions. When you break the rules, you don't get to play. 

See the (Example) The Kemper Museum of Art at the University of Washington, St. Louis for another example. 

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