Author: Montias, John Michael

Publication Year: 1975

Media Type: Book

Summary:

Abstract:

If art historians are to be consulted on major museum decisions, as the board of directors of the College Art Association recently recommended, economists may perhaps be pardoned for butting into a controversy about which they may also feel they have some competence. Economists, of course, cannot pretend to know what the goals pursued by a museum should be, but given these goals, they may have something to say about the choice of scarce means available to attain them. Whatever the goals might be, I suspect that few economists, if any, would support the view, widespread among academic art historians, that museums should desist from selling major works when their directors and trustees believe that such sales would be legal and in the best interest of their institutions.

To reason as a social scientist, I must be explicit about the assumptions on which I shall base my argument. My first and principal assumption will be that directors and trustees of major museums are reasonably competent and rational people. If they are not, then it may make perfectly good sense to hedge their decision-making powers with all sorts of rules that will keep them from squandering the possessions with which they are entrusted. But I should judge that almost all art museum directors have the minimum training in art history and museum management necessary to ensure that this assumption is satisfied. (p. 205-217)

CONTENTS
The public, scholars or students?
Testing the tastes.
Instruments for operating.
Culling the reserves.
Placating donors.
Can the nation benefit from donations?
An art auction scheme.
Mix and match museum policies.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Community Development