Since its founding, Glenbow has collected art and objects that represent the culture and history of our region and beyond. Every item, whether donated or purchased, is acquired with the intention that it should educate, spark curiosity, and inspire.
Each artwork or object holds a story — maybe even a few. Our goal is to collect and share stories that matter to our community. Art and objects can also inspire new stories, gaining life and purpose from those who visit them.
What is the criteria for donations to Glenbow’s collection?
Glenbow collects art and objects primarily of significance to the northwest quadrant of North America. We have a defined set of collecting goals for each area of our collection. We are extremely judicious about adding to the collection and want to ensure everything we collect is of high quality and fits within our mandate. We are interested in art and objects that are well-documented and help share stories about culture and history.
When a prospective donor offers Glenbow an artwork, we consider our mandate, the artist, whether the art being offered is a good example of their work, and what we already have in the collection. We may also look at connections between artists in our collection, the condition of the work, and the complexity of storing and caring for the work.
How is material used when it’s not on display?
Researchers in a variety of fields regularly access the collection, as do the families of donors and other members of the community. We provide images of artworks and objects to a broad variety of publications and media. We also provide broad access to the Indigenous collection to First Nations in southern Alberta and throughout Canada. Additionally, every year we lend hundreds of objects and artworks to other galleries and museums throughout Canada, the United States, and occasionally Europe.
How do I donate something to Glenbow’s collection?
Glenbow has limited resources to direct toward purchases for the collection. The majority of Glenbow’s collections have been donated and we continue to build our collections primarily through donations.
When an artwork or object is offered to Glenbow as a donation, we appreciate as much information as you can provide and a photo if possible. Offers are reviewed by appropriate staff, and if it is determined we would like to add the item to the collection, it is presented to a committee for formal acceptance. When the formal acceptance is complete, we issue a Gift Agreement.
In all instances of items valued at more than $1,000, the fair market value of an acquisition will be determined through an independent appraiser. In most cases, the museum will arrange the appraisal. If the donor provides the appraisal, the appraiser must be acceptable to the museum. The donor is responsible for the costs of the appraisal.
In most circumstances, it is possible for the donor to realize a tax benefit from a donation to the museum. Donors are encouraged to speak with their accountants about this possibility and what the benefit may be. Museum staff can supply basic tax information, however, they can not give tax advice or appraise the monetary value of a collection if that value is more than $1,000.
To discuss a possible donation, please contact: dbetenia@glenbow.org
