Acquisition Policy for Clare Museum

Statement of Purpose

The Clare Museum is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation, interpretation and display of the material culture of the Local Authority area of County Clare as administered by Clare County Council.

The purpose of the museum is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the history, culture and folk heritage of the County of Clare. To achieve this purpose the museum will actively pursue the establishment, expansion, and the maintenance of its collections in the area of Archaeology, Geology, Natural History, Social and Political History, Folklore, and the Arts (of a Natural, Artefactual, or Archival nature) which have a direct and relevant connection with the County of Clare.

Clare Museum's collections are to provide a basis for its exhibition and educational programmes, for research and study, for special lectures and symposia and for the cultural and educational enrichment of the community of Clare and visitors to the county.

Criteria

Only those categories of material which meet the following conditions and governing rules of acquisitions will be accessioned into the museum's collections:

• The object must have intrinsic value.
• The objects(s) must be consistent with and be relevant to the stated purpose, scope and activities of the museum
• The object(s) must be of "museum" quality. Primary consideration will be given to the museum's ability to provide proper care and storage for any artefact or work of art. No object(s) should be considered for acquisition if its physical condition exceeds the museum's financial ability to provide for its care and preservation.
• The museum must be able to provide proper storage for any acquisition under consideration.
• The object(s) must have a verifiable record of authenticity and provenance. The provenance of acquired objects shall be a matter of public record.
• The objects must have a free and clear title.
• The museum acknowledges its responsibility to ascertain that objects offered, whether by purchase, exchange, gift or bequest, are not stolen, wrongfully converted or acquired under false pretences.
• The museum will decline to accept archaeological material if there is reasonable belief that the circumstances of its recovery involved the recent unscientific excavation or intentional destruction of sites either within or without the Republic of Ireland.
• The museum shall at all times be aware of and sensitive to the concerns of all communities and traditions within the county when considering the acquisition of artefacts and other material.
• If the museum should discover that it has inadvertently acquired an object that is proven to have been obtained in violation of rules 7,8 or 9 above, the museum shall seeks to return the objects(s) to its legal owner or shall seek to determine, through outside recognised and competent authorities, the proper means of disposition.
• If possible, an examination period of 45 days should be required for any acquisition under consideration for purchase. If possible and if practical, a second appraisal of the object's monetary and aesthetic worth should be secured from a recognised and unbiased authority by the museum at its expense.
• The donor is responsible for appraisals of value. Under no circumstance shall the museum provide an appraisal of a donation. It may offer only suggestions concerning outside appraisal services.
• All acquisitions are to be outright and unconditional.
• All donations to the museum's collections are irrevocable upon the formal and physical transfer to the museum.
• All legal instruments of conveyance and warranty of title, signed by the donor/seller/agent setting forth an adequate description of the objects involved and the precise conditions of transfer shall accompany all acquisitions.
• All acquisitions by gift or bequest to the museum must remain in the possession of the museum for as long as they retain their physical integrity and authenticity, and as long as they remain useful for the purposes of the museum.
• Vendors offering works of art or objects for sale to the museum must be established as reputable merchants. The museum shall avoid acquiring objects from known or recognised independent "artefact traders" and "treasure hunters".
• The integrity, good name and well being of Clare Museum shall inform all decisions made by the museum curator regarding the acquisition and disposal of museum objects.

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