Collection Acquisition Policies
In order to manage the care, storage, and quality of a permanent collection, museums establish acquisition committees. The make-up of RAM’s acquisition committee consists of curators, librarians, art collectors, artists, art professors, architects, and entrepreneurs. It is impossible for most museums to collect everything that is offered or is important in the art world; therefore, museums of all sizes must establish collecting guidelines. These guiding principles are taken seriously knowing that there may be exceptions for special acquisition opportunities.
RAM’s goal is to assemble a noteworthy collection of art with an emphasis on the work of established and emerging American artists, particularly California artists and those from the Inland region. This policy is reviewed periodically and is adjusted according to changing missions and funding capabilities. Within these general guidelines, we hope to assemble a collection that will be helpful to the research and reference needs of the many colleges in the region. The museum is currently researching software that will enable RAM to offer a virtual museum online. The RAM collection is also a resource for exhibition loans to other art institutions. Museums have many practical decisions to make when considering acquisitions. Acceptance into the permanent collection is a guarantee of storing, insuring, and preserving the work forever. This is a costly commitment and must not be taken lightly. There are strict regulations to the deaccession of art so this practice is used very judiciously.
Permanent Collection Acquisition Proposals
Thank you for your interest in donating art to The Riverside Art Museum’s (RAM’s) permanent collection. Though RAM has some areas of specialty in our collection we are willing to consider any work from noteworthy artists.
In order to consider your donation of artwork(s), please submit a written proposal to be considered by our curatorial staff and collections committee.
What to include in a proposal:
- Whether you are offering a restricted or unrestricted donation. Unrestricted means, once accepted, the museum can trade, sell, or accept the donation(s) to the permanent collection.
- Information about the object, such as: a general description; the name of artist; any background on the artists education and career; art medium; dimensions; date made; and, any other details you can provide.
- Good pictures. Visual documentation is also important to the process, in particular to help assess condition.
- How you came to own the object. Please also include any formal documentation of ownership.
- Estimated value. If you have a receipt of purchase and/or appraisals, please include.
Once we receive your complete proposal, RAM staff will carefully consider your offer and make a decision based on criteria, such as: its relevance; how well it fits with plans for the RAM Collection; whether it is in good condition; and whether we can adequately care for it in the future. Not all donation can be accepted.
Depending on the unique considerations of each proposal, it can take anywhere from three to six months for us to respond.
Please do not bring objects to the Museum. We will be in touch if we need to view the item(s) in person. Note that we cannot offer appraisals nor can we recommend appraisers. For these questions, please visit the American Society of Appraisers website or call ASA at 800-272-8258.
Submit proposals to: [email protected]
