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Report of the AAMD Task Force on the Acquisition and Stewardship of Sacred Objects—June 1, 2006 Approved by AAMD Membership

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2007

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Religion has inspired the creation of art throughout human history. Most religious works of art are not considered to be sacred objects. Instead, these works serve to express religious ideas, values or feelings. Some works of art are, however, considered sacred objects. While art museums are secular institutions, the acquisition, handling, treatment, and interpretation of works of art deemed to be sacred objects may warrant special consideration since these works possess multiple purposes as works of art and sacred objects.

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DOCUMENTS
Information
International Journal of Cultural Property , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , November 2006, pp. 419 - 421
Copyright
© 2006 International Cultural Property Society

Religion has inspired the creation of art throughout human history. Most religious works of art are not considered to be sacred objects. Instead, these works serve to express religious ideas, values or feelings. Some works of art are, however, considered sacred objects. While art museums are secular institutions, the acquisition, handling, treatment, and interpretation of works of art deemed to be sacred objects may warrant special consideration since these works possess multiple purposes as works of art and sacred objects.

Today, perhaps the most common examples of works of art considered to be sacred objects derive from indigenous cultures. Within the United States of America, Federal law mandates that sacred objects associated with federally recognized Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups be given special consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990. Works of art associated with non-federally recognized tribes, First Nation cultures in Canada, indigenous Mexican cultures, or other groups may also be sacred objects although very few national or international laws dictate special consideration for such works. The following principles therefore serve to provide guidance to art museums considering issues related to acquisition, loan, handling, treatment, or interpretation of works of art that have been identified as sacred objects.

  • In general, sacred works of art are venerated objects created for use in ritual or ceremonial practice of a traditional religion.

Some individuals and groups consider a wide range of works of art to be sacred objects. Also, adherents of a religion may differ in their identification of works of art considered to be sacred objects. A broad definition of “sacred object,” if combined with the expectation that museums provide special treatment or consideration for such works, would create immensely difficult problems for art museums as secular institutions. Their mission is defined in terms of acquisition, preservation and interpretation of works of art for the benefit of the general public. As a result of these and other considerations, Federal law in the United States of America concerning Native American or Native Hawaiian sacred objects recognizes that the definition of “sacred object” must be limited to a comparatively small class of objects.

ACQUISITION

AAMD encourages the sustainability of indigenous societies and cultures, and urges its members and other museums to use the greatest sensitivity when collecting sacred objects from indigenous societies worldwide.

Consultation with leaders of indigenous societies is encouraged wherever possible to ensure that the object can be collected or removed from its context without damaging the society's central religious beliefs.

EXISTING COLLECTIONS

Art museums cannot be expected to singularly determine if a work of art is a sacred object. Instead, art museums should respond to inquiries or claims regarding sacred objects submitted by religious leaders or groups who have standing within a traditional religion with which an object is associated.

  • An inquiry or claim, once submitted by a religious leader or group deemed to have standing by the museum, should provide the framework for a dialogue between the museum and representatives of the religion regarding special treatment of the work of art.

Dialogue should be conducted in good faith and respect by both parties.

  • Decisions may be reached regarding the adoption of special stewardship responsibilities for sacred objects.

In the absence of applicable legal requirements, these decisions ultimately rest entirely with the museum. In making decisions regarding sacred objects, art museums should demonstrate genuine sensitivity to religious beliefs while upholding their own secular institutional mission and purpose.

Beyond consideration of possible special treatment for sacred objects, art museums should strive to accord equal treatment and respect to all religions in the interpretation of religious works of art.

For example, it is inappropriate to categorize the beliefs of some religions as “myths” or “legends” while categorizing the beliefs of other religions in very different ways (e.g., “history”).

These principles serve as a guide to decision-making. Art museums should make decisions regarding sacred objects on a case-by-case basis and should share their decisions with the individuals and group(s) with whom they have engaged in dialogue.