NOTICE: We are currently only accepting art and object donations that originate from Great Lakes Indigenous Tribal Nations and which have documentation or other clear evidence of being made by an Indigenous artist(s).
FAQs
Do you accept object, art, or artifact donations?
We are currently only accepting art and object donations that originate from Great Lakes Indigenous Tribal Nations and which have documentation or other clear evidence of being made by an Indigenous artist or artists.
All donations must be vetted through the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and may be repatriated as required by law or requested by source communities.
What is NAGPRA / Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act?
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA) (25 USC 32) and associated regulations (43 CFR 10) governs the return of Native American remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to descendants, culturally-affiliated Native American Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Where else should I donate my collection?
If you know the Tribe where it originated, we recommend reaching out to arts & culture representatives or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers from those Tribes. You can search the Bureau of Indian Affairs’s Tribal Leadership Directory here, or the Tribe’s website for additional contacts.
If you do not know the Tribe or general area from which your donation originated then we may be able to help. Otherwise we recommend reaching out to an appraiser. The International Society of Appraisers, based in Schaumburg, IL, can connect you with specialists to assess and identify your collection. You can call them at: 312-981-6778.
Can you appraise my collection/art/artifacts?
No. Common museum ethical standards and IRS regulations prohibit museums and museum staff members from providing any appraisals or valuations of any kind to objects or artwork. This includes authentication of any kind. We recommend reaching out to an accredited appraiser. A local organization, the International Society of Appraisers, will be able to connect you with the appraiser best suited to evaluate your collection. You can call them at: 312-981-6778
If you have any questions about donations, repatriation, art and provenance research, please send any photos and background information about your donation to us at info@gichigamiin-museum.org, or our Collection Manager, Joseph Gackstetter, at jgackstetter@gichigamiin-museum.org.
