Guidelines
Information about Museum Ethics and Professional Practices
College Art Association members may, from time to time, have inquiries about ethical guidelines for museums and museum professionals, either with respect to their own institutions or that otherwise may be of interest. These questions might arise, for example, in connection with the propriety of deaccessioning objects in the museum’s permanent collection, the rights and responsibilities of curators, directors and boards of trustees and various types of exhibition practices and procedures. This memo is intended to direct members to certain readily available sources that may be helpful in illuminating particular issues or addressing concerns.
These ethical issues have been described in several books and codified by several different organizations, including the American Association of Museums (AAM), the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD).
Two excellent books are Museum Governance: Mission Ethics Policy (Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994), written by Marie C. Malaro, the former legal advisor to the Smithsonian Institution, and A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections (Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998). Both books are available from the AAM Bookstore and can be obtained through AAM’s web site, www.aam-us.org/bookstore. See the section titled “Legal Issues and Ethics.” Check for each title individually.
The following guidelines of these Associations also are available through the AAM Bookstore:
American Association of Museums. “Code of Ethics for Museums.” Washington, D.C., 1991 (with 1993 amendments).
Association of Art Museum Directors. “Professional Practices in Art Museums.” New York, 2001.
International Council of Museums. “Code of Professional Ethics.” Paris, 1986, rpt. 1990 with minor changes. The ICOM guidelines are also published in Appendix A of Malaro, Museum Governance.
CAA Board of Directors wishes to thank the Chair of the Museum Committee, Katherine Crum, for researching and compiling this information.