New York State bill proposed on deaccessioning, historic houses

Anne Ackerson, the Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York State (MANY) reminded me about the legislation being proposed by Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D Westchester) that would prevent collecting institutions from deacessioning their collections to pay for operating expenses. This is Assembly bill A 06959 introduced last week.

This has been a very hot issue around the country of late, witness the many stories in the press about Brandeis University Art Gallery, Fort Ticonderoga, and the National Academy of Design. This bill would prohibit New York State museums chartered by the State Regents and State Education Department. from selling their collections.

While MANY supports the bill, Anne said that it may need refinements, especially as it may relate to historic buildings. The bill has yet to be published on the Assembly web site according to the MANY web site. Check the information about this bill through this link to the MANY web site. http://www.manyonline.org/