Museum and Art Services

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Acquisitions| Commissions | Donations | Becoming a Registered Museum Collection | Public Art Requests & Removals, Images & Credits | Loans | Image Reproduction | Collections Care & Training | Collection Risk Assessment and Management | Deaccession | CITES and Export Permits 

The University of Alberta Museums unit is here to support all of the University of Alberta campus with a diverse range of services related to museum practices. While some services are directly related to registered museum collections, other services are for all faculty, staff and students.

If you have a question about a museum service or topic not listed below, please contact:

The University of Alberta Museums unit
780.492.5834
museums@ualberta.ca

Acquisitions, Commissions, Donation of Museum Objects 

Acquisitions 

Only registered museum collections as part of the University of Alberta Museums network may acquire museum objects.

If you would like to purchase a work of art for display on the University of Alberta campus, contact:

Nadia Kurd
Curator, University of Alberta Museums Art Collection
780.749.0779
kurd@ualberta.ca

Commissions

If you would like to commission a work of art for display on the University of Alberta campus, contact:

780.492.5834
museums@ualberta.ca

Donations

If you would like to donate a museum object to the University of Alberta museums, please contact museums@ualberta.ca with the following information:

  • photographs, if possible,  
  • any information known or recorded about the item(s) and its history, condition, and how the item came to be in your possession (i.e., its provenance).

The acquisition/ donation process may take several months, depending on numerous factors, including the availability of university staff.

Not all donation offers will be accepted into the University of Alberta Museums collections.

Unsolicited donation offers cannot be dropped off.

Becoming a Registered Museum Collection

Museum collections at the University of Alberta require a long-term commitment in terms of human and financial resources. Anyone wishing to establish a new collection of museum objects at the University of Alberta, please contact:

Christine Conciatori
Director, University of Alberta Museums
825.975.1709
conciato@ualberta.ca 

Public Art Program - Requests & Removals, Images & Credits

The University of Alberta Museums unit manages the University of Alberta Museums Art Collection (UAMAC). A portion of the collection is suitable to be temporarily exhibited across campus as part of the Public Art Program. While on exhibit, the works of art should be treated with museum standards of care to ensure their preservation for the future. 

Requests & Removals

To request public art, or to request temporary or permanent removal of public art from your department or unit on the University of Alberta campus, contact:

Nadia Kurd
Curator, University of Alberta Museums Art Collection
780.749.0779
kurd@ualberta.ca

Images & Credits

A number of works of art around the University of Alberta campus are part of the University of Alberta Museums Art Collection. If you have a photo and would like to use it in a professional capacity to represent the University of Alberta, proper credit must be given to the art and artist. 

For credit information, contact:

Nadia Kurd
Curator, University of Alberta Museums Art Collection
780.749.0779
kurd@ualberta.ca

If you wish to include an image of a work of art on an item that will be made commercially available (e.g., mugs or cards to be sold to the public), contact: 

Nadia Kurd
Curator, University of Alberta Museums Art Collection
780.749.0779
kurd@ualberta.ca

Note: the University of Alberta Museums requires a minimum of four weeks' notice for all requests and may not move art during certain times of the year. Fees may apply. Additionally, the University of Alberta Museums reserves the right to refuse requests.

Loans

The University of Alberta Museums coordinates all incoming and outgoing loans of museum objects to the University of Alberta as governed by the University of Alberta Museums and Collections Policy. If you would like to lend or borrow a museum object for research, display, education, conservation, or other purposes, contact:

Jennifer Bowser
Moveable Cultural Property Advisor
780.492.0775
bowser@ualberta.ca

Note: The University of Alberta Museums do not accept long-term loans. 

Image Reproduction 

If you require an image of an object(s) from the University of Alberta Museums Art Collection (UAMAC) or the Mactaggart Art Collection for research, promotion, exhibition, or publication purposes, contact:

Emily Beliveau
Collections Management Advisor, Humanities
780.492.0776
ebelivea@ualberta.ca

For image credits about works of public art on campus: see Public Art Program - Requests & Removals, Images & Credits

Note: The University of Alberta Museums requires four weeks' notice for all image reproduction requests, and fees may apply. Additionally, the University of Alberta Museums reserves the right to refuse requests.

The University of Alberta Museums is available to assist with image reproduction requests for all other University of Alberta Museums collections, if needed. Contact:

780.482.5834
museums@ualberta.ca

Museum Collections Care & Training

The University of Alberta Museums offers collections care advice, services, and training to University of Alberta museums staff, students, and volunteers in several areas, including:

  • Care and handling of museum objects
  • Collections data management and digitization
  • Packing of museum objects for transportation
  • Object condition reporting and assessments
  • Storage cabinets, security, materials, and methodology (e.g., inventory control)
  • Exhibitions (e.g., materials, mounts, and light levels)
  • Integrated Pest Management, including pest monitoring and pest infestation response
  • Emergency Preparedness and operations continuity.

For more information regarding the above or University of Alberta Museums training opportunities, contact: museums@ualberta.ca 

Collection Risk Assessment and Management

Contact the University of Alberta Museums unit for advice:

  • in advance of facility maintenance work, projects, or relocations.
  • for preventive conservation,
  • collection emergency preparedness.

Collection Emergency Response:

First follow your department emergency response protocols (see University of Alberta Emergency Information and Procedures). 

If University of Alberta Museums Registered Collections or related spaces have been impacted, or it is suspected they have been impacted, contact University of Alberta Museums Collections Emergency Line as soon as possible: 587-784-0593.

If you have any questions, contact:

Alyssa Becker-Burns
Assistant Director (Collections Management)
780.492.3871
becker1@ualberta.ca

Deaccession / Object Disposition

Permanently removing museum objects or collections of museum objects from a University of Alberta Museums collection without a formal disposition (or deaccession) process is not permitted.

For information on deaccessions or permanently removing objects from a museum collection, contact:

Jennifer Bowser
Moveable Cultural Property Advisor
780.492.0775
bowser@ualberta.ca 

CITES and Export Permits

CITES Permits - Temporary and Permanent

Endangered species, including whole species or species' derivatives/parts, entering or leaving Alberta may require a CITES permit as governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Canada is a signatory.

The University of Alberta Museums unit holds the CITES Scientific Certificate on behalf of the University of Alberta and therefore manages all University of Alberta CITES permit requests. If you require an incoming or outgoing CITES permit, contact:

Jennifer Bowser
Moveable Cultural Property Advisor
780.492.0775
bowser@ualberta.ca

Canadian Cultural Property Export Permits - Temporary and Permanent

The University of Alberta Museums unit manages the application process for temporary and permanent export permits on behalf of all University of Alberta Museums collections. If you require a temporary or permanent cultural property export permit, contact:

Jennifer Bowser
Moveable Cultural Property Advisor
780.492.0775
bowser@ualberta.ca