Museum Collection

Here at the Erie Art Museum we’ve made cataloging and researching our collection a priority. While there is much to do, we are sharing our most up-to-date collections report as a first step in increasing public access to our holdings. This report was created from historic documentation and may be inaccurate or incomplete. We will be updating and enhancing our records regularly going forward. For more information about our collection please contact us.

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Deaccessioning

Just as we continually strengthen our collection by acquiring objects that hold significant potential for exhibiting, teaching, or research, we also undertake systematic evaluation of the Museum’s holdings to recommend the deaccessioning (removal from the collection) of selected works through sale, transfer and exchange.

Reasons for Deaccessioning an Object

Among the reasons we might consider deaccessioning an object:

• The work does not further the mission of the Museum.
• The work lacks sufficient aesthetic merit or importance to warrant retention.
• The work is a duplicate or secondary to a work already in the collection.
• The work requires extensive restoration or is in inherently poor, irreparable condition.
• The work is a forgery.

Our Deaccessioning Process

All deaccessioning undertaken by the Erie Art Museum adheres to the Museum’s deaccession policy and professional guidelines provided by the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD). Any object considered for deaccession undergoes rigorous review by our professional staff and the Museum’s Collection Committee, which approves all accessions to and deaccessions from the collection. Any funds raised through the auction of objects from the collection are directed toward future acquisitions.

Information about deaccessioned objects will be reported here as it becomes available.