Lawsuit Over Deaccessioning of the Brandeis Rose Art Museum Moves Forward
One of the principal issues facing the art community is the controversial process of “deaccessioning.” Deaccessioning is the process by which art or other valuable artifacts are removed or sold by a museum or institution. One of the highest-profile legal matters involving deaccessioning has been instituted by the overseers of Brandeis University Rose Art Museum against Brandeis University.
Brandeis is facing the lawsuit as well as an investigation by the Massachusetts attorney general over Brandeis' Board of Trustees' announcement that it would close the university's Rose Art Museum and sell off its collection. The collection has been valued at approximately $350 to $400 million dollars. The collection includes works by, among others, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Brandeis claims it needs the funds for the school’s research projects.
The lawsuit, filed on July 27, 2009 , took a step forward last week when Judge Jeremy A. Stahlin ruled that the plaintiffs had legal standing to proceed with their case and begin the discovery process. Plaintiffs seek to maintain the Rose collection by stating that the University's decision to close it and sell its paintings would violate museum ethical codes. The lawsuit also states that the University's decision violates its commitment to the Rose family to maintain the museum solely as a public museum.
Trial dates have been set for the Summer of 2010.
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