Can You Ever Buy Art From a Museum?
Have you ever wondered if you could buy art directly from a museum? Thanks to the pandemic, you may be able to.
Museums often acquire a vast number of artworks over time. In order to refine and manage their collections, remove damaged pieces, or acquire more valuable works for famous exhibits, museums will often sell their art. This process is called deaccessioning.
Once an artwork is deaccessioned, museums may transfer it to another museum or cultural institution, sell it at auctions houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, or through private channels and reputable dealers.
For art collectors looking to find rare pieces or add museum works to their private collection, deaccession may make that dream a reality. In this article we will discuss the ways to purchase fine art from a museum, and who owns the art piece when buying from museums and galleries.
From Their Gallery Wall to Yours
The decision to deaccess a particular artwork is typically made by a museum’s governing body, which includes museum directors, curators, art historians, and administrators. They consider various factors, such as the artwork’s significance, condition, historical value, and relevance to the museum’s mission.
Under the code of ethics of the American Association of Museums, proceeds from deaccession can only be used “for the acquisition, preservation, protection or care of collections.” And according to the code of the Association of Art Museum Directors, funds should not be used “for purposes other than acquisitions of works of art for the collection.”
But recently, these policies changed with the pandemic. In April 2020, the AAM and AAMD relaxed their policies, realizing the financial challenges faced by art museums during a time when museum attendance was at an all-time low. As a result, auction sales at Sotheby’s and Christie’s by art museums soared to record highs.
Prior to the pandemic, the idea of acquiring a piece of art from a museum’s permanent collection seemed like an impossible dream. But now that the pandemic has upended many of our established cultural norms, buying art from a museum is possible now more than ever.
It Takes the Right Scenario
While public museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art have physical custody of their artworks, the artworks themselves are considered part of the public domain and are held in trust for the benefit of society. By contrast, galleries can acquire art through consignment and are responsible for selling art on display to potential buyers.
Next time you are looking for fine art for your private collection, consider Heather James Fine Art. We offer important works from a cross-section of periods, movements, and genres from Post-War, Modern and Contemporary, to American, Latin American, and Old Masters.
See how we can provide you with an in-depth look at a piece of artwork in our online viewing room, then contact us about an artist you are interested in. We have access to thousands of works but not all can be shown on our website.
