Description:

In this course we will examine the most significant laws and regulations that affect collections management, including the legal organization of museums, responsibilities of governing boards, collections care, loans and gifts, international regulations, intellectual property, cultural appropriation, and freedom of expression.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Museum Law and Literature
- What a Museum Is (and is Not)
- The Meaning of "Not-for-profit"
- The Legal Organization of Museums
- Laws, Morals, and Ethics

2. Laws Affecting Collections Management
- Laws Affecting Collecting and Collections in the US
- Laws Regulating Natural History Specimens
- International Laws and Regulations Affecting Collecting and Collections

3. Appraisals and Donations
- More Laws and Regulations Related to Collection Acquisition
- Gifts: Restricted, Partial, Promised, and Otherwise
- The Cy Pres Doctrine

4. Loans
- Found in Collection,
- Old Loans, and Unclaimed Loans
- Deaccessioning and Disposal
- Intellectual Property Rights
- When Good Museums Go Bad

Required Textbook: Malaro, Marie C. and Ildiko Pogány De Angelis. 2012. A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections. Third edition. Smithsonian Books, xx + 540 pages