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Museums & Cultural Arts Commission advances deaccession of artworks and Colton Hall furniture
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Summary
At its Thursday meeting the commission voted to advance a staff recommendation to deaccession a set of deteriorated artworks and several pieces of Colton Hall furniture, directing staff to prepare a council consent item and to prioritize donations to local organizations when appropriate.
The Museums & Cultural Arts Commission voted Thursday to move forward with deaccessioning multiple artworks and pieces of Colton Hall and Fulton Hall furniture after staff said the items were deteriorated, oversized for current display spaces or lacked adequate storage and conservation capacity.
Ryan, the cultural arts manager, told commissioners the proposals include two sets of objects: an art-collection deaccession (large fiber and collage works, a donated Abraham Lincoln piece of unknown authorship, 'path of history' panels and large photographs) and a Colton Hall furniture list (chairs, benches, roll-top desks and other items dating from the 1950s–1960s). "We don't have the funds to do restoration, repair, or display these pieces, so we feel it's better to not pay for storage for them," Ryan said.
Under the city's museum deaccession policy staff outlined disposal options that include donation to nonprofit or public institutions, public auction (preferred when sale is appropriate), private sale, return to a donor, repatriation for culturally sensitive items, or destruction when required. Ryan said proceeds from any sale would go back into the Museum Trust for future acquisitions and preservation. "Disposal of deaccession objects may be exchanged with or transferred to a museum, library or nonprofit organization, public auction, private sale, return to the donor, repatriation," he said.
Commissioners and staff discussed specific items the city no longer displays or cannot safely store: six 4x8-foot path-of-history panels (plus smaller panels), a 42x42-inch work associated with the Monterey Conference Center, a large fiber work (previously restored roughly 20 years ago, reported at 15 by 9 feet), 65x79-inch mounted prints and other wood or MDF-mounted photographic panels stored at the city garage, where staff noted moisture concerns. Ryan recommended following the deaccession policy and first offering regionally relevant pieces to local historic organizations or state parks before auctioning.
Chair Kimsey moved that staff proceed with the deaccession process and prepare the recommended consent agenda item for city council; Ryan seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor and the motion carried. Commissioners encouraged staff to evaluate local groups such as the Stanton Center, state parks or the Museum of Art as potential recipients for certain items prior to sale.
The next step is for staff to return to the council with a recommended resolution authorizing the proposed disposals, appraisals when needed and the preferred disposition method. Eligibility, appraisal needs and any culturally sensitive determinations will be handled per the city's deaccession policy. The commission did not record public comment on the deaccession proposals during the meeting.
