Archaeological Museum > Collection > Policies

Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum Loan Policy

This policy ensures that all objects loaned from the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum are handled with the utmost care and professionalism, while also supporting scholarly research and education through exhibitions.

Introduction

This Loan Policy governs the terms and conditions for academic and exhibition loans from the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University. The policy applies to institutions, researchers, curators, and organizations seeking to borrow objects from the museum’s collection for research purposes or exhibition.

1. Loan Eligibility

  • Loans are only granted to established institutions such as museums, galleries, research centers, universities, or government agencies. Loans will not be made to private individuals or commercial entities.
  • Borrowing institutions must demonstrate proper environmental, security, and conservation standards to ensure the safety and preservation of the loaned objects.
  • All loan requests must be submitted at least 6 months prior to the intended use date, especially for exhibition loans.

    2. Types of Loans

    • Academic Loans: For scholarly and educational purposes such as study, non-destructive analysis, and academic research and exhibition.
    • Exhibition Loans: For public display in exhibitions by museums and galleries not affiliated with an academic institution.

    3. Loan Request Procedures

    • Loan requests must be submitted in writing, detailing the purpose, location, duration, and security measures of the borrowing institution.
    • Applications must include a detailed description of how the object(s) will be used and cared for, including environmental and security conditions at the borrowing institution.
    • The museum’s curatorial and conservation staff will review all loan requests to assess the suitability and risks associated with loaning the requested objects.

    4. Loan Period

    • The maximum loan period is 1 year, renewable upon review. Shorter periods may be set depending on the nature of the loan request and the condition of the object(s).
    • The borrowing institution must notify the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum if an extension of the loan period is needed at least 3 months before the end of the loan.

    5. Loan Fees

    • Academic Loans:
      • Loan administration fee: $150 for the first object, $50 per additional object.
      • Conservation fee: Assessed based on the level of care required prior to loan.
      • Crating and shipping fees: Varies depending on size and location of the borrowing institution, to be quoted separately.
      • Courier fees (if required for delivery or installation): an agreed upon daily fee and per diem, plus travel and accommodation costs.
    • Exhibition Loans:
      • Loan administration fee: $250 per object.
      • Conservation fee: Assessed based on the level of care required prior to loan.
      • Crating and shipping fees: Varies depending on size and location of the borrowing institution, to be quoted separately.
      • Courier fees (if required for delivery or installation): $250 per day, plus travel and accommodation costs.

      6. Conditions of Loan

      •  The borrowing institution must adhere to the highest standards of conservation and security as required by the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum.
      • No alterations, conservation work, or repairs may be performed on loaned objects without prior written approval from the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum.
      • The museum reserves the right to recall any loaned object with 60 days’ notice.
      • Loaned objects must be returned in the same condition as received. Condition reports will be generated before and after the loan period.

      7. Insurance and Liability

      •  The borrowing institution is responsible for the insurance of the loaned objects that must cover all risks of physical loss or damage from the moment they leave the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum premises until they are returned.
      • Insurance must be a Fine Arts policy that covers the full value of the loaned object(s) as determined by the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum.
      • The borrowing institution must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the lender as the loss payee prior to shipment.

      8. Credit and Acknowledgment

      •  The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum must be credited in all publications, labels, and promotional materials related to the loaned object(s).
      • The proper credit line for each object will be provided with the loan agreement.

      9. Termination of Loan Agreement

      •  The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum reserves the right to terminate any loan agreement if the borrowing institution fails to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in this policy.
      • In the event of non-compliance, the loaned object(s) must be returned immediately at the borrowing institution’s expense.

      10.  Amendments

      • The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum reserves the right to amend this policy at any time, with written notice to borrowing institutions for active loans.

      For further inquiries regarding loan policies and collections content, please contact Kate Gallagher, Associate Director & Curator for Collections at [email protected].  

      Please send the formal loan request to the attention of Dr. Emily Anderson, Director at [email protected].