In November of 2006, when the Albright-Knox Art Gallery announced his infamous “deaccession”, it had the whole art museum folks talking.  Everyone had something to say good or bad.  “Deacession” is a term used for selling off permanent collections- antiquities and historical works to raise funds for other intended acquisition collections.   This term was first used in 1972 but much was not said until Albright-Knox Art Gallery made their announcement.  In spite of making such announcement, it also brought alive the museum industry in a different light.

One former assistant secretary for a museum went ballistic, after he heard of all the dear pieces that would be included in the sale, that he wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal justifying the reason for the deaccession.  Albright-Knox Art Gallery wanted to acquire more modern and contemporary pieces of art, and in order to do so, they would have to sell off pieces that are gathering dust so to speak plus some interested pieces such as the Artemis, Dancing God Shiva, etc.   The article in Wall Street journal not only justified the reason for the sale but drew attention to the museum industry.  Many people became interested in the pieces as well as other museums wanted to purchase these art pieces.  It was a time to acquire funds or make money.  After the sale, they pulled in four times more than the actual value of all the pieces.

A donor of art work was so furious that she stated that she only donated work to the National Art Gallery of Washington DC.  She is suggesting that she will not give art collection to smaller art galleries but how does she expected the small galleries to survive.   It is healthy for the gallery business to deacession its collection especially when membership is not growing and the trend calls for modern art.  A gallery must think about the times and location.  Art work must serve its time and pass on to others.  Besides, a private person may be interested to pay a hefty amount for a piece.  A donor should not worry about its donation if it moves from one museum to another or to a private person.  One heiress of Wal-Mart corporation purchased a piece for 35 millions for her newly gallery set-up from another sale.

A gallery is in the business as an institution.  It must meet its expenses.  Art work should not collect dust or store in some corner of a back room.  Form the Albright-Knox “deacession” sale, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York experienced a big jump in its attendance that its revenue went from 1.1 million to 4 million a year after the museum received a temporary loan of the Artemis from the European collector who purchased it.   What that shows is that the location for a piece is appreciated in one location more than another.   It is also possible, with much criticism about Albright-Knox announcement that it might have drawn more people to go out to see it.  

Many may want the term “deacession” to go away but it is a healthy way to keep the museum industry alive.  The art institution is about collecting live artists as one commentator stated.  The art industry only collects art work which must bring in funding and resale of art pieces will always continue in order to boast the industry.  One must remember the originator of an art work may not be alive to care either. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery made a mark that others have followed and have drawn in hefty amount as well.