The Association of Art Museum Curators has joined the professional outcry against the planned sales from the collection of Randolph College’s Maier Museum. George T.M. Shackelford, AAMC president and chair of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ European art department, writes:
The Association of Art Museum Curators upholds a fundamental and abiding principle that is recognized throughout the museum profession: Whenever works of art in a museum’s collection are sold, the proceeds cannot be used for any other purpose than the acquisition of other works of art.
A museum may seek to refine and improve its collections through such sales, but the decision of Randolph College to sell some of the Maier Museum’s greatest paintings to raise general operating endowment for the college violates this basic rule—a rule that is obeyed by all responsible art museums in this country, large or small: Never sell a work of art to pay for a new roof, for an employee’s salary, or to cover a debt.
We hope that another solution can be found to safeguard the collection of this gem of a museum, which we all respect.
In an Op-Ed for the Lynchburg News & Advance, Anne Yastremski, executive director of Preserve Educational Choice, a group opposing the admission of men to Randolph College this fall, writes:
College officials claim their unprecedented, shameful raid on the Maier collection was driven by financial need—the need “to make a substantial infusion” into the college’s endowment. But that’s not the college’s problem. The college already has a substantial endowment. The real problem is greed not need; poor judgment and management, not a shortage of funds.
Todd Simmons of Siloam Springs, AR, writes:
I think that it is unfortunate that Ms. Walton is being vilified for creating an unparalleled shrine to American art work. I find it ironic that the wealthy hedge fund operators can purchase paintings at auction to hang in their mansions without disdain, yet a wealthy individual trying to bring American Art culture to middle America is guilty of raiding the art world of its master pieces. I admit, I know nothing of the inner workings of the “art world.” However, I do have an appreciation for the arts and American art, specifically.
I happen to live in Northwest Arkansas, and am very pleased to have the opportunity to raise my children in an environment that fosters art appreciation and offers an opportunity to regularly view our country’s great works. Crystal Bridges will do nothing but improve the appreciation for the arts with a world class venue for works that today may or may not be as available to the masses.
We are thankful that we have someone like Alice Walton who cares enough to invest back in our community, and we hope that she is successful in developing a world class venue with a collection that matches. On that note, you are welcome to Arkansas once the museum is ready for business.