PUBLIC TRUST and ETHICS FOR MUSEUMS IN SERVICE TO SOCIETY

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PUBLIC TRUST and ETHICS FOR MUSEUMSIN SERVICE TO
SOCIETY

• GOVERNANCE
• COLLECTIONS
• PROGRAMS

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INTRODUCTION

• This is a simple three part power point
  presentation to introduce the idea that ethics
  and mission operate in all spheres of museum
  activities and are integrated to each other.
• It is very useful to use in fledgling
  institutions, with inexperienced staff or
  undergraduate students who have not yet
  contemplated that there are ethical
  considerations governing their work.
• There are obvious many more and more nuanced
  considerations to follow.

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GOVERNANCE

• UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT MISSION
• ACT CORPORATELY
• PROTECT, MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP ALL ASSETS
• RESPONSIVE TO THE INTERESTS OF SOCIETY
• RESPECT STAFF
• ACT ACCORDING TO BI-LAWS AND CHARTER

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COLLECTIONS

• ACQUITIONS, DISPOSAL, LOAN SUPPORTS MISSION
• PROTECTED AND CARED FOR
• ACCOUNTED AND DOCUMENTS
• ACCESS IS PERMITTED AND REGULATED
• ACQUISITION, DISPOSAL AND LOAN FIT WITHIN
  PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS
• PROCEEDS OF SALE FITS WITHIN ETHICS POLICY
• HUMAN REMAINS, SACRED AND SECRET MATERIAL IS
  RECOGNIZED
• NO INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL GAIN

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PROGRAMS

• SUPPORTS MISSION
• BASED ON SCHOLARSHIP AND INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY
• ACCESSIBLE
• RESPECTS PLURALISTIC VALUES
• PUBLIC GOOD NOT INDIVIDUAL GAIN

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Resources

• ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, 2006
• American Association of Museums Museum Code of
  Ethics
• The British Museum Code of Ethics
• Malaro, Marie, Museum Governance. Mission,
  Ethics, Policy, Smithsonian Institution, 1994
• And An Extensive Museum Ethics Bibliography