Harwood proposes revision of long‑term loan for Taos Municipal School art collection; recommends museum retention of key works

Representatives of the Harwood Museum of Art described a plan to revise a nearly 14‑year long loan of the Taos Municipal School historic art collection and asked the board to consider a later vote on a revised loan agreement.

Juniper Laracy, director of the Harwood Museum of Art, told the Taos Municipal School Board on Jan. 22 that the Harwood has stewarded 98 works from the district since 2011 under a long‑term loan and now recommends revising the loan so that “the Harwood Museum of Art can retain the most significant and culturally valuable works in professional care while returning less critical pieces to Taos Municipal Schools for local engagement.”

The Harwood’s team — including curator Nicole D’Auke and collections manager Chris Albert — reviewed the collection with outside experts and produced 98 condition reports. The museum’s proposal, as presented, calls for returning approximately 36 works to the school system and retaining others in climate‑controlled, museum‑grade storage so that the works can be conserved and included in rotating exhibitions locally and nationally.

Why it matters: The collection includes works by artists central to Taos art history, Harwood staff said, naming Joseph Henry Sharp, Jean Klose, Dorothy Brett, Earl Stroh and Agnes Martin among the artists represented. Laracy noted that an Agnes Martin work from the collection was included in a major international retrospective and said museum quality storage and conservation would lower the risk of deterioration for early 20th‑century works.

Process and next steps: Laracy said the Harwood and the school’s art committee have been working on condition assessments since November 2023, culminating in a joint review last June. She said the Harwood will present a recommended list to the school board and Harwood board and that the school board will vote on any proposed relocations and amended loan agreement at a future meeting.

Board discussion: Board members asked about the current length of the loan; Harwood staff said the loan term is unusually long and described the organizations’ intent to create a fair plan balancing preservation and community access. No formal board action was taken at the Jan. 22 meeting; the Harwood team said they will return with a specific recommendation and revised loan documents for board consideration.

Ending: Harwood staff said the museum will continue consulting with Taos Municipal Schools and the Taos community before presenting a detailed amended loan and a relocation plan for the board to vote on.