Donating to the Collection

Details

If you have something you would like to offer, please email heritageservices@mcc.org.au.

Include as much detail as you can! This helps staff to assess whether the object is right for the collection:

• A description/list of the object(s)
• Photographs of the object(s)
• A summary of the history or significance of the object(s), such as who used it, and when
• The name and contact details of the current legal owner of the object(s)
• The current location of the object(s). 

Please do not send us objects in the mail, or bring the objects to the museum without contacting us first. Staff are unable to accept material that has not completed the donation offer process.

The process

All donation offers are assessed by our staff, and successful donations involve a transfer of ownership to the museum. The assessment process includes reviewing the history and significance of the items on offer, comparing similar material in our existing collections, and working closely with the donor throughout. This means it can take some time to complete!

Finally, we also can’t accept everything. There may be occasions where a donation is declined because the object:

• Is duplicated within existing collections
• Is badly damaged
• Does not have clear provenance and history
• Cannot be properly displayed, stored, conserved or cared for within the museum’s resources
• Is offered with conditions (for example, that is must always be displayed)
• Does not fit within the museum’s collection policies.

Some donors may be eligible to apply for the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, once the donation is completed. This program provides tax incentives to encourage gifts of culturally significant items from private collections to public art galleries, museums, libraries and archives. Please note that our staff are unable to provide advice as to whether donors would be successful in their application. For more information, please visit the Cultural Gifts Program website.