Penn Museum Launches National Survey to Enhance Transparency in Museum Collecting Practices
The Penn Cultural Heritage Center (PennCHC) 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, a process that has historically lacked transparency. The Penn Museum, which has faced scrutiny over its own practices, aims to use this survey to establish best practices and enhance accountability in the field. 
