Inside the Ethics Committee

UKRG 13 May 2014

Jane ArthurMuseums & Heritage Consultant

Why have a code of ethics? Offer guidance in difficult situations Provide consistency of approach Maintain confidence of benefactors and

society as a whole Help resolve day to day operational and

management problems

MA Code of Ethics, 2008 Society can expect museums to:

Hold collections in trust on behalf of society Focus on public service Encourage people to explore collections for inspiration,

learning and enjoyment Consult and involve communities, users and supporters Acquire items honestly and responsibly Safeguard the long-term public interest in the collections Recognise the interests of people who made, used,

owned, collected or gave items in the collection Support the protection of natural and human

environments Research, share and interpret information related to

collections, reflecting diverse views Review performance to innovate and improve

The Museums Association Ethics Committee

Who we are Convenor – Nick Merriman, Director Manchester

Museum Committee – Charlotte Woodhead, David Fleming,

Judy Lindsay, Jane Arthur, Richard de Peyer, Suzanne Lyle and 2 vacancies

What we do Publish guidance for the sector Raise awareness of museum ethics Casework

Disposal for financial reasons Code of Ethics criteria

Only in exceptional circumstances (6.13) Does not damage public confidence in museums (6.13) Will significantly improve the long-term public benefit

derived from the remaining collection (6.14i) Not to generate short-term revenue (6.14ii) A last resort after other sources of funding have been

thoroughly explored (6.14iii) Extensive prior consultation with sector bodies has been

undertaken (6.14iv) The item under consideration lies outside the museum’s

established core collection as defined in the collections policy (6.14v)

Ring-fence any money raised…solely and directly for the benefit of the museum’s collection (6.15)

Disposal for financial reasons ACE guidanceRecommended approach for financially motivated disposal: Stage 1: Assessment and in-principle decision-making Stage 2: Planning and investigation Stage 3: Consultation, advice and making the final decision Stage 4: The sale Stage 5: Post-sale and record keeping.

There are four key documents that need to be completed during the process:

• Process review report – evidences the decisions made and processes followed (updated throughout)

• First contact form – sent to MA and ACE outlining proposal and reasons once an in principle decision to sell has been made.

• Compliance report – sets out how the proposal meets MA Ethics and ACE Accreditation criteria

• Final report – details sale, money raised and how allocated

Recent casework on disposal for financial reasons

Royal Cornwall Museum – Fine art Southampton City Council – Fine art Bolton City Council – Fine art Northampton City Council – Egyptian

statue of Sekhemka Croydon Borough Council – Riesco

collection of Chinese ceramics

Disposal - key issues for the Ethics Committee

What constitutes “last resort”?

What comprises the “core” collection?

Expert advice

Communication and consultation

Where and how funds raised are invested and protected to support collections