PUBLIC TRUST and ETHICS FOR MUSEUMSIN SERVICE TO SOCIETY

GOVERNANCE COLLECTIONS PROGRAMS

Elaine Heumann Gurian

INTRODUCTION

Elaine Heumann Gurian

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.

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

Elaine Heumann Gurian

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

Elaine Heumann Gurian

PROGRAMS

SUPPORTS MISSION BASED ON SCHOLARSHIP AND

INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY ACCESSIBLE RESPECTS PLURALISTIC VALUES PUBLIC GOOD NOT INDIVIDUAL GAIN

Elaine Heumann Gurian

Resources:

Elaine Heumann Gurian

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