What’s Wrong With The AAMD’s Deaccessioning Policy

“The AAMD code of ethics provides that sales proceeds may not be used ‘for purposes other than acquisitions of works of art for the collection.’ As seen in the National Academy case, the consequences of violating the guidelines can be grave. … The rule is usually justified on the ground that works in museum collections are held ‘in trust’ for the public and therefore cannot be sold. The problem with this argument is that museums sell work all the time.