Gifts and Loans

Gifts

The Luther College Fine Arts Collection has been made possible primarily through the generosity of donors. Past donors have enriched the Collection immeasurably through gifts ranging from single works of art to collections of multiple objects. Gifts have also been financial in nature. Such gifts, together with the careful management of the Collection in accordance with professional guidelines established by the American Association of Museums, have resulted in a valuable aesthetic and educational resource for the College.

Because the College welcomes donations, guidelines for making gifts are reproduced here for the reference of potential donors. Material is considered to be a gift when title to the property passes from the giver to the recipient without compensation. The following elements are essential to the making of a valid gift:

1. delivery;
2. intent of the donor;
3. acceptance by the recipient.

[Ref: “Gifts”, “Acceptance” in West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, 1998] Gifts of extraordinary value are handled on a case by case basis.

Guidelines for Works of Art

Works of art are defined to include painting, drawing, works produced through print, photographic or other reproductive techniques which are considered originals, sculpture in all media, assemblages, textiles, ceramics, and utilitarian objects in any medium whose principal value resides in their aesthetic merit. Objects should strengthen, supplement, and support the mission of the collection.

Gifts of art may be retained by the College even if they are not accessioned into the Fine Arts Collection. Determination for accessioning rests with the Fine Arts Collection Supervisor with assistance from the Gallery Coordinator and, when appropriate, a member of the Art Department with expertise in the medium represented by the gift. [Ref: Fine Arts Collection Management Policy, ratified May 9, 1994] Outside experts may be consulted if warranted.

Criteria to be considered before works of art are accessioned into the Fine Arts Collection are outlined below:

• Works should be original in nature. Exceptions may be made for works which support collection concentrations and/or are unusual or exceptional.
• Works must have potential educational value through research, teaching, study or exhibition purposes.
• Works should meet museum quality standards for aesthetic merit when compared with other items of the same type.
• Clear title should be established for works.
• No works can be accepted with a guarantee in perpetuity concerning circumstances of its use or exhibition, or with other restrictions regarding its disposition.
• The college should be able to provide proper physical, financial, and spatial resources for care of works.
• Whenever possible gifts should be accompanied by documentation which provides provenance (origin) and relevant background on the work.

Procedures for Making Gifts of Works of Art

Fine Arts Collection staff may assist donors with finding valuations. Standard references such as price guides, auction catalogs, the Internet, or books on collectibles can be identified for donors. Prospective donors may also wish to consult IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, which explains when appraisals are required.

A Deed of Gift form will be provided to all donors so that ownership of the gift is legally transferred. After the Deed is signed by the donor and a College representative, the original is retained by the College with copies provided for the donor.

Acknowledgment of gifts is made by the Fine Arts Collection Supervisor and, when the gift exceeds $500 in value, also by the Luther College Office of Development. Names of all donors are forwarded to the Office of Development on a regular basis. Acknowledgment to document a gift typically occurs through a Deed of Gift for the work of art. The College assumes no responsibility for the use donors make of such acknowledgments.

Appropriate recognition of gifts accessioned into the Fine Arts Collection may be made at the discretion of the Collection Supervisor. Recognition typically includes identification of donors in accession records and file materials and special labeling of exhibited work when appropriate.

Contacts for offering gifts or bequests are found at Contacts. In addition, the Office of Development may be contacted.

Guidelines for Financial Gifts

Financial gifts are always welcome to support the Fine Arts Collection.

Typically, gifts of funding are made to the endowments currently established which provide limited annual income for the Collection. The Kemp Endowment for the Visual Arts is used to purchase works of art for the Fine Arts Collection while the Endowed Fund for the Luther College Fine Arts Collection is designed to defray general expenses associated with management of the Collection. Donations to the existing endowments or creation of new endowments can be arranged by contacting the Collection Supervisor, Jane Kemp, or the Office of Development.

Loans

Loans of art works are frequently made from the Fine Arts Collection to other institutions or other bonafide venues. For information regarding possible loans contact Jane Kemp, Supervisor of the Fine Arts Collection.