Madison Art Collection FAQ
First, please fill out the Proposal for Art Donation form. Be sure to fill out all information and include photos of the work. Proposals will be reviewed by museum staff on a regular basis, and you will hear from us in a timely fashion once a decision has been made. Please note that the MAC cannot always accept work due to collecting priorities, space restrictions, and budgetary needs.
No, the MAC staff cannot appraise or authenticate any artwork due to the Code of Ethics laid down by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directors. This is done to prevent conflicts of interest and unethical collection acquisitions. For the same reason, we cannot recommend any specific appraisers, conservators, or other industry professionals working in the for-profit art world. If you are in need of appraisers, we recommend contacting a certified appraiser who belongs to one of the main accrediting bodies such as:
If the object in question is not on view in the Lisanby Museum, you may still be able to access it via a facilitated viewing in the study room. This is avilable to faculty, students, and community members during the academic year. Please request access by contacting Director Ginny Soenksen (soenksvm@jmu.edu or 540-568-2661).
Due to time contraints, staff are unable to help with research requests for objects not belonging to the Madison Art Collection. Depending on the nature of the artwork, we may be able to recommend resource material.
Lisanby Museum FAQ
Group visits are always welcome and do not require advance notice. If you are interested in having a group tour, please contact Director Ginny Soenksen (soenksvm@jmu.edu or 540-568-2661). Group tours are not always available due to staff responsibilities or museum events.
The Lisanby Museum is open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 12 - 4 pm. If you are an instructor or group organizer interested in bringing your class outside of opening hours, please contact Director Ginny Soenksen (soenksvm@jmu.edu) or Associate Director Dr. Maria Harvey (harveymx@jmu.edu).
No, the Lisanby Museum is free and open to all visitors, and our exhibitions are never ticketed. This is true for group visits as well, so please contact us if you'd like to arrange a visit for your class, club, or organization.
