Office of Collections Management
National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution
Outgoing Loans
The National Museum of Asian Art lends collection objects to other institutions to promote understanding and appreciation of Asian art. All objects are loaned solely for public exhibition, research, and educational purposes. All loans are managed by the National Museum of Asian Art. The Freer Gallery of Art is not allowed to lend objects. The National Museum of Asian Art Collection, the Arthur M. Sackler Collection and the Freer Study Collection may lend objects.
Collections Search:
https://asia.si.edu/explore-art-culture/collections/search/
Loan Requests
Loans are made in response to a written request from the borrower and are subject to a formal loan agreement. Loan requests should be addressed to the museum director and sent to a registrar (contact information below), curator or director at least twelve (12) months before the exhibition’s opening date. Requests should include current facilities reports for all intended venues and a copy of the borrower’s insurance policy.
Loan Fee and Costs
The National Museum of Asian Art charges an administrative fee of US $500.00 per object for outgoing loans. In addition, the borrower will pay all associated costs for the loan, including shipping, crate construction, packing, and courier costs (see below). Costs of conservation, photography for condition reports, and mounts or framing may also be charged to the borrower. All packing and shipping arrangements must be approved by the National Museum of Asian Art in advance.
Courier
The National Museum of Asian Art may require a courier from its staff to travel with the objects and to oversee installation at the borrower’s museum. The borrower will be responsible for courier costs: flights (business class when traveling internationally with the objects) (otherwise economy class), lodging, per diem, and ground transportation expenses. The same shall be required at the close of the exhibition or for venue transfers. Unless otherwise dictated by installation needs and/or transportation schedules, one night’s stay is required for US travel east of the Mississippi River, two nights’ stay is required for US travel west of the Mississippi River, and a minimum three nights’ stay is required for international travel.
For certain loans, the use of a virtual courier may be approved for the installation or deinstallation of the loan.
Installation
Design plans for the exhibition, including a layout showing walls, doors, and windows, as well as installation requirements for objects loaned from the National Museum of Asian Art must be sent to the loan registrar for review at least four months before the exhibition opens. This will allow the National Museum of Asian Art staff to plan any required preparation.
Areas where the loan objects will be stored and/or displayed must maintain a constant temperature of 70º +/- 5ºF; 21ºC (>18º, <23º). Humidity must be maintained at 50%, +/- 5%. Specific climate requirements for individual objects are determined on a case-by-case basis and will be included in the loan agreement.
Catalogues
Two copies of the exhibition catalogue and any other material printed in association with the exhibition should be sent to the loan registrar.
Rights and Reproductions
Address all rights and reproduction requests to Tellie Simpson (telephone: 202.633.0527, fax: 202.312.2811, reprorights@si.edu).
An additional catalogue may be required by the terms of the reproduction agreement.
Registrar Contacts:
Rebecca Merritt
Registrar
202.633.0358
merrittr@si.edu
Tessa Lummis
Senior Collections Manager
202.633.0343
lummist@si.edu
