Missouri State University

Donated Art Policy

Op11.06 Donated Art Policy
  1. A standing subcommittee of the University Master Planning Committee will be the body which sets standards and criteria for art work donated to or commissioned by the University; nurturing the development and implementation of a percent for art program for MSU; and recommending campus policy on public art.  This Public Art Committee will make recommendations to the University Master Planning Committee, which in turn will make recommendations to Administrative Council.  The Administrative Council is the only body which can accept donations of art work.  The committee will consist of:

    Dean, College of Arts and Letters, Chair of the committee

    Head, Department of Art and Design

    Senior Faculty Member, Department of Art and Design

    Non-Art and Design Faculty Member chosen by Faculty Senate Chair

    Student, Department of Art and Design

    Non-Art and Design Student chosen by President of SGA

    Representative, Administrative Council

    Representative, University Master Planning Committee

    Representative, Staff Advisory Council

    Director, Springfield Art Museum

  2. In addition to recommending art work on aesthetic grounds, the Public Art Committee will recommend an appropriate place on campus for the location of any proposed donation of art work.  It is further acknowledged that acceptance of donated art work will not be finalized until monies to cover installation costs are also found.  Perhaps donors will be interested in contributing the costs of installation in addition to the actual work of art.

    Criteria for Acceptance and Acquisition of Public Art

    1. The following are the criteria for the acceptance and acquisition of public art at Missouri State University.
    2. Only those objects intended for retention and maintenance into the long-range future of the University should be accessioned.
    3. Objects can be acquired in a number of ways: by gift, by commission, through bequest, purchase, or any other method which would transfer ownership to the University
    4. The work should be of high quality and be able to be presented to its best possible advantage as determined by the Public Art Committee/Selection Committee in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders.
    5. The work should be durable enough for on-campus exhibition.
    6. It should be determined that the work can be given proper care and governance either while it is on display or in storage.  The University must have the resources to maintain the work properly and, if necessary, to store the work.
    7. The work should be a useful teaching tool in support of the educational objectives of the University.
    8. The work serves as an object that augments the University community and campus environment as determined by the Public Art Committee/Selection Committee in consultation with appropriate stakeholders.
    9. The work comes to the University with clear documentation of current ownership and provenance.
    10. The work comes to the University with an unrestricted ownership and without any status of potential use restrictions (such as copyrights, patents, trademarks, etc.) unless a prior written agreement has been entered into by the University and the prospective donor.
    11. The work and ownership of the object are consistent with the UNESCO Convention regarding the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property and complies with the most recent regulations regarding human remains and ceremonial objects of Native Americans.