Against Deaccessioning Rules

Abstract

This article surveys the rules that professional organizations have promulgated governing the deaccessioning of works of art by art museums and concludes that that those rules are unjustified. Specifically, it argues that deaccessioning rules prohibiting museums from deaccessioning works of art for the purpose of generating revenue are not justified and are inconsistent with the legal duties of board members. It argues that museums should sell art when it is in the best interests of the museum.