As recently reported by the International New York Times, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) has issued a set of Protocols in an effort to provide guidance to cultural institutions on how they can provide a safe haven for works of cultural significance that are at risk of being damaged, destroyed or looted in countries of crisis across the globe.
Pursuant to the Protocols proposed by AAMD,
owners whose works are endangered because of terrorism, violent conflict or natural disasters could request that the items be held by a member museum until conditions improved enough for their safe return. Once transferred, these works would be treated as loans, an arrangement that would assuage those concerns that the pieces would never be repatriated."
Further,
museums providing [a] safe haven should make the works available to scholars and may exhibit them to the public, depending on the preferences of the owners or the depositors."
AAMD has strongly urged its 240 member institutions in the United States, Canada and Mexico to adopt the association's "Protocols for Safe Havens for Works of Cultural Significance from Countries in Crisis" and has invited museums throughout the world to use the Protocols in their efforts to protect endangered works of cultural significance.
Given the devastating turmoil in war torn countries, such as Syria and elsewhere around the world, the AAMD's issuance of the Protocols is indeed relevant and timely.
For further information on AAMD's recently issued Protocols, click here.
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