What's Happening?
The Penn Cultural Heritage Center at the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Museum is set to launch a comprehensive survey aimed at exploring the collecting practices of museums and libraries across the United States. This initiative, known as the National
Survey of Museum Collecting Practices, is part of the Museums: Missions and Acquisitions Project (M2A Project), which began in October 2024. The survey will gather data on policies, acquisitions, deaccessions, and more from May 20 through August 20, with results expected in 2027. The survey seeks to provide insights into how museums acquire, borrow, deaccession, and return objects, addressing a gap in understanding these practices on a national scale.
Why It's Important?
The survey represents a significant step towards increasing transparency and setting standards in museum collecting practices, a field that currently lacks comprehensive guidelines. By collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, the survey aims to empower museums to manage cultural objects responsibly and advocate for necessary resources. The initiative is particularly timely given recent controversies surrounding museum collections, such as the Penn Museum's handling of the Morton Cranial Collection. The survey's findings could influence policy-making and best practices in the museum sector, impacting how cultural heritage is preserved and shared with the public.
What's Next?
Following the survey, the Penn Cultural Heritage Center plans to release a report in 2027 that will provide generalized insights while maintaining the anonymity of participating institutions. This report is expected to enhance transparency and help establish best practices for museum collecting. The survey is intended to be conducted on a three-year cycle, contingent on funding, to track changes in the profession over time. The results could lead to policy changes and improved practices in museums nationwide, influencing how cultural objects are acquired, managed, and returned.
