Ethics consultation response 'overwhelmingly positive'
05-06-2007,
The Museums Association's consultation into proposed changes to its code of ethics on disposal has attracted an 'overwhelmingly positive' response, according to Caitlin Griffiths, the MA's adviser on professional issues…
One respondent wrote: 'I warmly welcome these proposals. It seems to me that they inject a much needed does of realism into professional discussion on this issue, debate about which has for so long been completely suppressed, resulting in a professional approach that has for many years seemed blinkered, reactionary and out of touch with common sense.'
Another respondent wrote of concerns about the lack of weight that clause 6.12 of the proposals places on making new acquisitions: 'Almost all de-accessioning within the US is tied to providing funds for new acquisitions, and this in our view seems easier to justify than the broad wording in 6.12, which will quickly come to mean running costs in one form or another.'
Another suggested that clause 6.11, which allows the sale of items in the collection in exceptional circumstances, should incorporate the words: 'It is expected any of these exceptional cases of disposal will only take place after extensive consultation and agreement with sector bodies.'
Griffiths said: 'We are really pleased at the response. There are some concerns over clause 6.11, however it may be possible to amend this paragraph of the code to address people's concerns.'
To see the proposed changes, click here (pdf)
For the explanatory notes, click here (word)
The consultation closes on Friday 15 June. Please email any comments to Caitlin Griffiths: caitlin@museumsassociation.org
Another respondent wrote of concerns about the lack of weight that clause 6.12 of the proposals places on making new acquisitions: 'Almost all de-accessioning within the US is tied to providing funds for new acquisitions, and this in our view seems easier to justify than the broad wording in 6.12, which will quickly come to mean running costs in one form or another.'
Another suggested that clause 6.11, which allows the sale of items in the collection in exceptional circumstances, should incorporate the words: 'It is expected any of these exceptional cases of disposal will only take place after extensive consultation and agreement with sector bodies.'
Griffiths said: 'We are really pleased at the response. There are some concerns over clause 6.11, however it may be possible to amend this paragraph of the code to address people's concerns.'
To see the proposed changes, click here (pdf)
For the explanatory notes, click here (word)
The consultation closes on Friday 15 June. Please email any comments to Caitlin Griffiths: caitlin@museumsassociation.org
