deaccessioning

Deaccessioning refers to the process by which a museum or other institution sells or disposes of an item from its collection. This practice is typically reserved for items that no longer serve a useful scholarly or interpretative purpose.12

While museums generally aim for permanence in their collections, deaccessioning can occur to correct past imbalances in collecting or to acquire works by underrepresented artists, as seen with the Baltimore Museum of Art. However, the use of proceeds from deaccessioned art for operational expenses, rather than for the care or acquisition of collection items, has been a point of controversy. Museums are expected to adhere to professional codes of ethics and legal regulations concerning acquisitions and disposals, with provenance being a key consideration.23