deaccession

Deaccession is the formal process by which a museum, archive, library, or similar cultural institution permanently removes an object or work from its collection. The removal may involve equipment, manuscripts, artifacts, works of art, or other holdings that are no longer deemed to meet the institution’s mission, standards, or criteria for inclusion. Deaccessioning is distinct from temporary removals or loans and from repatriation or transfer to another institution; it results in a change to the institution’s catalog, holdings, and provenance records.

Rationale for deaccessioning typically centers on preserving a coherent collection and ensuring resources are focused on items that align with the organization’s mission. Common reasons include poor condition or irreversible damage, misattribution or scholarly inaccuracy, lack of relevance to the collection’s scope, duplication of items already held, or legal and provenance issues that prevent proper stewardship. In practice, many professional codes limit the use of funds generated by deaccessioning, often restricting proceeds to acquisitions or conservation, rather than funding operating expenses.

Process and governance generally require a formal policy and documented procedures. Deaccessioning decisions usually involve collection committees or governance boards, documentation of provenance and condition, title checks, and sometimes public notice or consultation. Disposal options include transfer to another institution, sale or auction, or transfer to a responsible custodian. The exact process and permissible outcomes are governed by institutional policies and applicable laws, with ethical considerations emphasizing transparency, stewardship of the public trust, and avoidance of commercial exploitation of culturally significant material.

Ethical frameworks from professional associations guide best practices, including the responsible handling of sensitive provenance and the careful use of any proceeds from deaccessioned items.