SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS - Ethics of Collecting

Ethics of Collecting

Collectors may provide Support to Institutions. They provide such Support in the interest of the Institution, as defined by the Institution itself, respecting its autonomy, acquisition and curatorial choices, without expecting any direct counterpart for themselves or their collection.

1

SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT INFLUENCING THEM

Collector Jason has heard that the independent art space that opened last year downtown is in major financial difficulty. Hoping to help, Jason contacts the director of the space and offers to cover 50% of their operating costs for the next three years. He does not ask anything in return but to have the power of veto on the appointment of the curatorial teams. Is this appropriate?

A Yes. Jason’s generosity must be compensated, and a simple power of veto is not really an intrusion in the active program of the institution.

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B Yes. Fifty percent is not enough to give Jason any real influence over the direction of the space.

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C No. Supporting a space for so long, and to that scale, inevitably creates dependence and loss of autonomy on the side of the space. In addition, the support comes with the possibility to influence – albeit with a veto – the substantive direction of the space. While supporting institutions is a welcome gesture for a collector to make, it cannot amount to the possibility of buying one’s way into the direction of the space.

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2

SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT CONDITIONS

Artist-run-space OFF is planning to hold a solo show of artist Sanja next year. They hear that collector Inge owns several works from Sanja. On this basis, they ask Inge to lend three works and to support the show with $5,000. Inge knows OFF quite well and she respects them. She particularly likes their space but thinks that although the main warehouse room is great, the upstairs spaces are too dark, and the ceiling is too low. In response, Inge confirms that she is pleased to accept the offer but only if the three works from her collection are shown in the main warehouse room. Is Inge being fair?

A No. While it is fine for Inge to support an exhibition of an artist in her collection, based on an unsolicited request from OFF, she should not make the support and the loan dependent upon how the works are shown. This is entirely the curatorial choice of OFF and is not for collectors like Inge to interfere with.

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B No. Collectors should never financially support exhibitions where works from artists in their collection are shown. This would mean disrespecting the curatorial choice of the supported institution.

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C Yes. Collectors have the right to request the placement of the works they lend and ensure that they are shown in the best way possible. This is consistent with being concerned first and foremost with the artist’s interests.

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3

REJECTING ARTWASHING

Collector and businessman Samir has recently been involved in a corruption scandal related to inappropriate payments to government officials to obtain environmental permits for his company’s new factory. Samir’s PR agent and law firm suggest that three or four months down the line, Samir’s company should make a significant donation to the ARMO Museum. He is advised that this would contribute, even if marginally, to the reestablishment of trust that the local community has in his company, and that it may push the authorities to believe that he is motivated by a desire to help the community, which could help his case. Would Samir act appropriately if he followed such advice?

A Yes. That’s exactly what donations are for: to help companies protect, raise, and enhance their corporate image.

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B . Yes. The donation is not for commercial purposes, as it will not directly increase the sales of his company. It also establishes a legitimate defense argument for Samir.

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C No. Samir would not be making a donation with the genuine intent of helping ARMO – which is the purpose of donations – but is driven by the self-interest of improving his damaged image. Donations should not be made to manipulate the public and authorities.

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4

TRANSPARENCY ABOUT RESOURCES

Collector and senior lawyer Abubakar is hoping to support the artist-run-space OFF with an unrestricted grant to help them with their program for the year. When contacting them to arrange for the grant, he also provided public information about his law firm’s list of clients – his main source of income – and about the foundation he created with his partner to support animal rights. Was it necessary for him to reveal this extra information to OFF?

A Yes. By providing upfront general information about his professional and philanthropic activities, Abubakar helped OFF to promptly assess whether accepting his grant would trigger any image or ethical risk for the artist-run-space, and whether Abubakar’s activities are consistent with OFF’s values.

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B Yes. All collectors must always disclose all details of all their clients to the public.

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C No. This is confidential information that has nothing to do with the purpose of a grant. OFF should be grateful for the grant and should not be vetting the hand that feeds them.

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5

DOCUMENTING AND DISCLOSING SUPPORT TO INSTITUTIONS

Collector Priya has agreed to considerably support the solo show of artist Gina at ARMO Museum. Priya is wondering what the best course of action is when it comes to communicating her support.

A She should request to obtain a prominent mention in the catalogue with her name and the name of her foundation. She will ask a graphic designer to prepare it and send it directly to ARMO. She should ensure the mention is commensurate to the support.

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B She should draft a contract with ARMO and ensure that the funding is acknowledged in the posters, leaflets, and catalogues of the show and on ARMO’s website. This should be a one-line credit stating something like: “This exhibition has been supported by a grant from collector Priya.”

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C Priya should ask ARMO not to disclose her support. She has the right to her security, privacy, and discretion. She profoundly dislikes visibility. What matters is the support to the museum, the rest is unimportant.

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