Introduction

The root value for museums, the tie that connects all of us together despite our diversity, is the commitment to serving people, both present and future generations. This value guided the creation of and remains the most fundamental principle in the following Code of Ethics for Museums.

Code of Ethics

Museums make their unique contribution to the public by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the things of this world. Although diverse in their missions, they have in common their nonprofit form of organization and a commitment of service to the public.

Taken as a whole, museum collections and exhibition materials represent the world's natural and cultural common wealth. It is incumbent on museums to be resources for humankind and to preserve that inheritance for posterity.

Museums are grounded in the tradition of public service. They are organized as public trusts, holding their collections and information as a benefit for those they were established to serve. Members of their governing authority, employees, and volunteers are committed to the interests of these beneficiaries. The law provides the basic framework for museum operations. As nonprofit institutions, museums comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and international conventions, as well as with the specific legal standards governing trust responsibilities. This Code of Ethics for Museums takes that compliance as given. But legal standards are a minimum. Museums and those responsible for them must do more than avoid legal liability, they must take affirmative steps to maintain their integrity so as to warrant public confidence. They must act not only legally but also ethically. This Code of Ethics for Museums, therefore, outlines ethical standards that frequently exceed legal minimums.

Loyalty to the mission of the museum and to the public it serves is the essence of museum work, whether volunteer or paid. Where conflicts of interest arise actual, potential, or perceived the duty of loyalty must never be compromised. No individual may use his or her position in a museum for personal gain or to benefit another at the expense of the museum, its mission, its reputation, and the society it serves

For museums, public service is paramount.

Governance

Museum governance in its various forms is a public trust responsible for the institution's service to society.

Thus, the governing authority ensures that:

• all those who work for or on behalf of a museum understand and support its mission and public trust responsibilities.
  
  
• its members understand and fulfill their trusteeship and act corporately, not as individuals.
  
  
• the museum's collections and programs and its physical, human, and financial resources are protected, maintained, and developed in support of the museum's mission.
  
  
• it is responsive to and represents the interests of society.
  
  
• it maintains the relationship with staff in which shared roles are recognized and separate responsibilities respected.
  
  
• working relationships among trustees, employees, and volunteers are based on equity and mutual respect.
  
  
• professional standards and practices inform and guide museum operations.
  
  
• policies are articulated and prudent oversight is practiced.
  
  
• governance promotes the public good rather than individual financial gain.

Collections

The distinctive character of museum ethics derives from the ownership, care, and use of objects, specimens, and living collections representing the world's natural and cultural common wealth. This stewardship of collections entails the highest public trust and carries with it the presumption of rightful ownership, permanence, care, documentation, accessibility, and responsible disposal.

Thus, the museum ensures that:

• collections in its custody support its mission and public trust responsibilities.
  
  
• collections in its custody are lawfully held, protected, secure, unencumbered, cared for, and preserved.
  
  
• collections in its custody are accounted for and documented
  
  
• access to the collections and related information is permitted and regulated.
  
  
• acquisition, disposal, and loan activities are conducted in a manner that respects the protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources and discourages illicit trade in such materials.
  
  
• acquisition, disposal, and loan activities conform to its mission and public trust responsibilities.
  
  
• disposal of collections through sale, trade, or research activities is solely for the advancement of the museum's mission. Proceeds from the sale of nonliving collections are to be used consistent with the established standards of the museum's discipline, but in no event shall they be used for anything other than acquisition or direct care of collections.
  
  
• the unique and special nature of human remains and funerary and sacred objects is recognized as the basis of all decisions concerning such collections
  
  
• collections-related activities promote the public good rather than individual financial gain.
  
  
• competing claims of ownership that may be asserted in connection with objects in its custody should be handled openly, seriously, responsively and with respect for the dignity of all parties involved.

Programs

Museums serve society by advancing an understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural common wealth through exhibitions, research, scholarship, publications, and educational activities. These programs further the museum's mission and are responsive to the concerns, interests, and needs of society.

Thus, the museum ensures that:

• programs support its mission and public trust responsibilities.
  
  
• programs are founded on scholarship and marked by intellectual integrity.
  
  
• programs are accessible and encourage participation of the widest possible audience consistent with its mission and resources.
  
  
• programs respect pluralistic values, traditions, and concerns.
  
  
• revenue-producing activities and activities that involve relationships with external entities are compatible with the museum's mission and support its public trust responsibilities.
  
  
• programs promote the public good rather than individual financial gain.

Copyright 2000 American Association of Museums. All rights reserved.