Aberdeen City Council Museums and Galleries Collections Development Policy ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL: MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT POLICY Name of museum: Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums Name of governing body: Aberdeen City Council City Growth Museums and Galleries Date on which this policy XX/XX/XXXX was approved by governing body: Policy review procedure: The collections development policy will be published and reviewed from time to time, at least once every five years. Date at which this policy is Nov 2022 due for review: Museums Galleries Scotland will be notified of any changes to the collections development policy, and the implications of any such changes for the future of collections. Aberdeen City Council Museums and Galleries Collections Development Policy Contents Page Introduction and purpose 1 1 Relationship to other relevant policies/plans of the organisation 2 2 History of the collections 3-4 3 Overview of current collections 5 4 Themes and priorities for future collecting 6 5 Themes for rationalisation and disposal 6 6 Legal and ethical framework for acquisition and disposal of items 7 7 Collecting policies of other museums 7-8 8 Archival holdings 8 9 Acquisition 8 10 Human remains 9 11 Biological and geological material 9 12 Archaeological material 9 13 Exceptions 10 14 Spoliation 10 15 Repatriation and restitution of objects and human remains 10 16 Disposal procedures 10-12 Appendices A Collection Descriptions B Priorities for Future Collecting C Collection Review and Rationalisation Plan D Care and Conservation Policy E Documentation Policy F Loans Policy G Definitions H Changes to History Classifications I Concordat: developing the Collections of Museums in North-east Scotland Aberdeen City Council Museums and Galleries Collections Development Policy ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL: MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT POLICY This is the Policy Statement regulating the MLA. This has been successfully reviewed on acquisition of items for the Collections of a biennial basis by the MLA. Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Art Gallery Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums re- and Museums (AAGM, hereafter known as launched its website in 2009 greatly ‘the Museum’). The adoption and enhancing online access to the collection. implementation of such a policy by The Council is a requirement of the Accreditation This Policy recognises the financial restraints Scheme for Museums in the UK. Accreditation that are likely to occur over the period 2018 – is a set of national standards for UK museums, 2021. Future collecting by means of purchase which all participating museums are required will reflect the economic climate and AAGM to meet to achieve Accreditation status. The will continue to seek grant aid avenues in scheme was previously administered by order to maximize our purchasing potential. Museums Libraries Archives (MLA) and is now administered by Arts Council England (ACE) REASON AND PURPOSE FOR COLLECTING following its merger with MLA in 2011. ACE Our collection connects Aberdeen’s unique administers the scheme for the entire United past, present and future, inspiring and Kingdom, in partnership with Museums empowering our communities to love their Galleries Scotland, Northern Ireland Museums own culture and sharing that pride with the Council and CyMAL. wider world. This Policy Statement represents the aims and For us connection is key to understanding and plans of the Council at the time of its adoption developing our collections: in 2018, and as such will be subject to revision • Connecting audiences with objects, as AAGM develops. It is intended that this sites and stories policy should be reconsidered at least once • Connecting objects with people, every five years and no later than 2021, when places and processes a revised statement will be brought before the Council for its agreement. • Connecting the past with the future of Aberdeen and its place in the world This Policy Statement supersedes all previous • Connecting the themes and and existing practices and policies, formal or informal, relating to the acquisition of items specialisms within our collection for the collections of the museum. We have exported inspirational people and The general intention of the policy shall be to products to the world; and brought the best strengthen the scope of the existing of the world to our hearths. collections by filling gaps and in some cases by We will continue to create an inspirational acquiring comparative material. This shall be collection that reflects our city of Aberdeen achieved both by purchase and by adding to and its place in the world as a creative, the collections by passive means, i.e. industrial, social and artistic centre, raising accepting gifts. Disposal will be undertaken the profile of Aberdeen and north east only for sound curatorial reasons and Scotland. following procedures in line with Accreditation and Museums Association Ethics. The Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums received full Accreditation in 2005 from the Aberdeen City Council Museums and Galleries Collections Development Policy 1. Relationship to other relevant museum can acquire a valid title to policies/plans of the organisation: the item in question. 1.7 In exceptional cases, disposal may be motivated principally by financial 1.1. The museum’s statement of purpose reasons. The method of disposal will is: To maximise the potential of therefore be by sale and the Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums as procedures outlined below will be an art gallery and museum service followed. In cases where disposal is that develops and celebrates motivated by financial reasons, the collections, enlightens, educates and governing body will not undertake inspires. disposal unless it can be 1.2. The governing body will ensure that demonstrated that all the following both acquisition and disposal are exceptional circumstances are met in carried out openly and with full: transparency. - the disposal will significantly improve 1.3. By definition, the museum has a long- the long-term public benefit derived term purpose and holds collections in from the remaining collection trust for the benefit of the public in - the disposal will not be undertaken to relation to its stated objectives. The generate short-term revenue (for governing body therefore accepts the example to meet a budget deficit) principle that sound curatorial reasons must be established before - the disposal will be undertaken as a consideration is given to any last resort after other sources of acquisition to the collection, or the funding have been thoroughly disposal of any items in the museum’s explored collection. - extensive prior consultation with 1.4. Acquisitions outside the current sector bodies has been undertaken stated policy will only be made in - the item under consideration lies exceptional circumstances. outside the museum’s established 1.5. The museum recognises its core collection. responsibility, when acquiring additions to its collections, to ensure that care of collections, documentation arrangements and use of collections will meet the requirements of the Museum Accreditation Standard. This includes using SPECTRUM primary procedures for collections management. It will take into account limitations on collecting imposed by such factors as staffing, storage and care of collection arrangements. 1.6. The museum will undertake due diligence and make every effort not to acquire, whether by purchase, gift or bequest, any object or specimen unless the governing body or responsible officer is satisfied that the Page 2 of 12 Aberdeen City Council Museums and Galleries Collections Development Policy 2. History of the collections well as granite carving apprentices could practice drawing and take 2.1. The Museums and Galleries Service is inspiration. This light and clean central part of Aberdeen City Council’s City space is used today to exhibit works Growth function. It delivers museums by leading contemporary artists. and art galleries services across the City of Aberdeen, with a focus on 2.4. In 1907 the Town Council assumed themes of art, heritage, social history responsibility for the building and its and culture. The Service is a key growing collections. In the 1920s player in the provision of cultural further development took place with activity and museums in the North the addition of the City’s War East of Scotland and makes an Memorial and the Cowdray Hall, important contribution to the cultural opened by King George V and Queen agenda for Scotland. Through Mary. The cost of the War Memorial partnerships, networks and loans the was met by public subscription, and Service also is a major contributor to that of the Cowdray Hall, a unique UK national museum provision and recital venue, by Lord and Lady has an international reputation. Cowdray “with a view to encouraging the taste for art and music in the City 2.2. The origins of the Museums and of Aberdeen”. Galleries Service can be traced to 1873 when John Forbes White and a 2.5. In 1935 a number of key items were number of local art collectors decided transferred from the Town House in to hold a public exhibition to display preparation for the establishment of their collections. From this developed the Regional Museum which opened a plan to establish a public art gallery in 1937, in the basement below the for the benefit of citizens, an objective Cowdray Hall, with displays of that continues to drive the regional history, natural history and programmes of activity today. geology (closing in the 1970s with the Aberdeen’s handsome granite Art opening of a new display space in Gallery, designed by Alexander James Dun’s House). Whilst the Marshall Mackenzie, one of the museums and galleries service still loveliest Victorian galleries in the UK, holds collections from the wider was opened in 1885. The displays region, the focus of the collection is combined industrial exhibitions with the City of Aberdeen. Also in the exhibitions of art, greatly enhanced by 1930s, plans were made to restore generous gifts, including Aberdeen and refurbish “Cumberland House” a granite merchant Alexander fine 16th century town house in Macdonald’s private collection in Guestrow.