In Houston, we very much consider this to be a PURCHASE.  It's something
that is always being confused by our curators, but I try to drill home
that anytime the institution cuts the check, the accession method is
PURCHASE.  If we do not cut a check, it is a GIFT.

 

Similarly, the role of the person who gives funds for a purchase is a
FUNDER.  If they give an object, they are a DONOR.  Something that is
purchased should not have anyone with a DONOR role linked to it.  

 

I actually set it up procedurally that we cannot buy a work of art
unless the purchase order is accompanied by an "art purchase form" which
is a crystal report out of TMS.  The "art purchase form" will not run if
there is not someone identified as a "dealer or seller" as well as
someone identified as "funder" and the accession method switched over to
"purchase".  It's worked surprisingly well

 

David

 

 

David Aylsworth

Collections Registrar

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

telephone:  713-639-7824

fax:  713-639-7780

 

Opening Sunday: The Moon: "Houston, Tranquility Base Here. The Eagle Has
Landed"

 

 

From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Chad Petrovay
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 4:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Accession Method

 

How do you handle Accession Method when an object is purchased by the
institution with funds from a donor. Is this considered a Gift, a
Purchase, or do you have some other designation for it?

 

Many thanks,

 

Chad Petrovay  |  Collections Database Administrator
MIM-Musical Instrument Museum | 8550 S. Priest Drive  |  Tempe, AZ 85284

480.481.2460 main  |  480.353.2746 direct | 480.481.2459 fax  |
www.themim.org

 

Blog: www.petrovay.com/tmsblog