The purpose of the Booth Western Art Museum is to educate the public about the art and culture of the West with a primary emphasis on Western American art by American artists. The collection is used to stimulate an interest in, and an appreciation for, art.  The Museum collects and preserves materials and conducts research relating to Western American art and culture.  These materials are interpreted for the public through exhibitions and educational programs.

            The Museum seeks to enhance its collections by adding, in a judicious manner, those objects that are appropriate to the Museum's mission, officially adopted by the Board.  The Museum will acquire and preserve materials of the highest quality possible that will promote a deeper knowledge and understanding of Western American art and culture.      

The Collections Committee, comprised of Museum staff and Board, evaluates all potential acquisitions, and decides whether to approve or disapprove a given item.  The Committee considers acquisitions by gift, bequest, exchange or purchase.  Collection items are accepted into two different categories, permanent collection and education collection.  Education collection items are available for use in Museum programs and may be handled.

Works of art, objects, photographs and archival materials are accepted when certain criteria are met:

The objects are relevant to and consistent with the purposes and activities of the Museum as stated in the mission (exhibits, research, and/or educational programs).

The Museum must be able to provide for the storage, protection, and preserva­tion of objects under conditions that ensure their availability for the Museum's purpose and in keeping with accepted professional standards.

The objects are in reasonably good physical condition or can be conserved within the Museum's resources.

All donations are considered outright and unconditional gifts to be used at the discretion of the Museum.

The materials or objects must, if possible, be documented as to provenance. 

            If you would like information about making a donation to the Museum, please contact James Burns, Director of Curatorial Services, at jburns@boothmuseum.org.

            When a potential donor approaches the Museum with objects that he/she wishes to donate, an Incoming Temporary Deposit Receipt is completed for all items for which the Museum is taking temporary custody.  Potential donations are periodically reviewed by the Collections Committee to determine whether to accept or reject the materials in question based on the Museum's acquisitions policy.  After a decision has been reached, the potential donor is notified of the Committee’s decision.