1. An introduction to
Collections Reviews
Paul Fraser Webb
Consultant

2. Definition of a Museum
µMuseums enable people to explore
collections for inspiration, learning and
enjoyment. They are institutions that collect,
safeguard and make accessible artifacts and
specimens, which they hold in trust for
society.¶

3. The Dynamic Collection

4. Opportunity Cost

5. Museum Collections and Sustainability
Nick Merriman (2004)
Table 2.19 Acquisitions & Disposals from sample
museums, 1990-2004
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
Acquisitions
80,000
60,000 Disposals
40,000
20,000
0
Glasgow Horniman Ipswich Leeds London's Manchester Maritime
Transport

6. Acquisitions & Disposals from sample
museums, 1990-2004
N Merriman 2004

7. Sustainability

8. Sustainability

9. Systainability

10. Dynamic Collections
Need to enhance use
Need to get µvalue for money¶ from collections
Need to guarantee sustainability of
collections
So, why do we not have a
µdynamic collection?¶

11. Bury ² A Case Study

12. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
Paragraph 4.2.5(e) of the Phase 2
Registration Guidelines state: ³Decisions to
dispose of items will not be made with the
principal aim of generating funds´

13. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
Paragraph 4.2.5(h) of the Phase 2
Registration Guidelines state: ³Any monies
received by the museum governing body
from the disposal of items will be applied for
the benefit of the collections. This normally
means the purchase of further acquisitions
but in exceptional cases improvements
relating to the care of collections may be
justifiable.´

14. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
Paragraph 4.2.5(e) of the Phase 2
Registration Guidelines state: ³Once a
decision to dispose of an item has been
taken, priority will be given to retaining the
item within the public domain and with this
in view it will be offered first, by exchange,
gift or sale to Registered museums before
disposal to other interested individuals or
organisations is considered´

15. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
Paragraph 4.2.5(f) of the Phase 2
Registration Guidelines state:³In cases in
which an arrangement for the exchange, gift
or sale of material is not being made with an
individual Registered museum, the museum
community at large will be advised of the
intention to dispose of material. This will
normally be through an announcement in
the Museums Association¶s Museums
Journal and other professional journals if
appropriate´

16. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
It was not de-registered for selling the
painting.
It was de-registered for how it went about it.

17. Why was Bury AGM de-registered?
³Sell a painting that is not seen to be integral to
the current collection policy´

18. Objective Opinion
³[When disposals are being considered]
curatorial opinion could be seen as subjective
and there may be benefits in getting opinions
objectively scrutinised. There needs to be
external evidence that professional guidance
and ethics are being followed«[There is a] need
to show that decisions are for the good of the
museum and collection and not down to the
curator¶s personal taste. External scrutiny needs
to review Policy, Process and Decision´
Curator in a North West Museum.

20. A regional response
Working with the MA to promote the disposals tool kit and ensure its
effective use
Promoting peer review of collections in the regions to assist museums¶
focus on their core collections and develop a curatorial overview of
collections¶ strengths
Developing a regional infrastructure for peer reviews through a greater
understanding of and support for regional expertise and research
provision.
Promoting responsible disposal from museum collections,
developing a µsafe environment¶ for the discussion of specific
museum disposals and establishing a practice of professional
peer review of the mechanism of museum disposal.

21. A regional response
A methodology
An officer
A professional scrutiny panel
A peer reviewers network
Money

22. A regional response
A Methodology
Element 1: Curatorial Review
Element 2: Use
Element 3: Significance
Element 4: Collections Care
Element 5: Museum Context

23. A regional response
A professional scrutiny panel
The Collections Review Board shall:
Act as a µsafe environment¶ for the museum community to
discuss issues surrounding and arising from the disposal of
museum objects. To facilitate this the board should act as a
µcritical friend¶ to museums. It should help museums develop
methods of responsible museum disposal (including promotion of
MA¶s Disposals Tool Kit, using peer review, developing criteria
for museum disposal, developing methods for assessing
significance of objects and collections). It should also review the
disposal policies, the procedures and the decisions of museums
at the museum¶s request

24. A regional response

25. A regional response
A peer reviewers network
Hub Museums
National Museums
Museums with direct DCMS Funding

26. A regional response...Funded Projects
Salford Museums and
Art Gallery
Egyptology Review

27. A regional response...Funded Projects
Gallery Oldham
Print Loan
Collection
Review

28. How does this help us?
Safe environment for discussing difficult
issues
Gets underused collections looked at
Gets specialist opinions
Makes qualitative assessments that can
balance the financial arguments
Gets objective opinions
Promotes the dynamic collection OR
enhances use