COLLECTORS AND THE FORMATION OF MUSEUMS: NEW PHILOSOPHIES AND THEIR EFFECT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
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Authors
Scott, Brigette Delamartter
Issue Date
1990
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the philosophies of major art collectors had changed between the establishment of major art museums in the United States (late 1800s) and the present. The study was to estimate the effects that collectors' philosophies exert, and would continue to exert, on the museum community. New research was conducted through nine case studies of the transfer of private collections to publically-accessed institutions, and through a series of interviews conducted by the author with current major art collectors in the Los Angeles area.
The results of the study indicated that in many instances, the philosophies of collectors reflected a pattern throughout history, but in the majority of contemporary situations there was a more prevalent desire for control and financial gain in the release of one's collection than there had been before. For instance, there were more instances of establishing a personal museum and of selling rather than donating a collection.
Recommendations for response to the change in collectors' philosophies note a need for greater commaraderie between existing museums to enable group purchase and sharing of collections. This would provide collectors an opportunity to donate to a consortium of museums, thereby providing greater exposure for their works.