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deaccessioning items in their collections which are not germane to their collecting policies. He assured the Regents that no deaccession valued in excess of $50,000 would proceed without their approval, as provided in the museums' collections management policies. The National Museum of American Art has some European art which it acquired through the years and which is excess to its present collecting focus. The National Museum of African Art has a large number of small objects which are of insignificant artistic or cultural importance. Both museums are anxious to arrange for an orderly deaccessioning process.

Raising more complex issues, the Director and the Board of Trustees of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden have agreed to undertake the deaccession of a lot of art outside the field of modern art. Mr. Hirshhorn collected in many fields, including Egyptian and Oriental materials, but most importantly, some substantial objects of African Art. There is no question that a good portion of these materials would be of use to other Smithsonian museums, particularly in the case of the National Museum of African Art which is moving into new space in the Quadrangle and which needs to improve its collections. On the other hand, by statute the Board of Trustees of the Hirshhorn is charged with the fiduciary responsibilities for the collections, and should these collections be sold the Trustees would have an important opportunity to enhance the Museum's holdings in modern art and sculpture.

Mr. Adams said he is prepared to take the position that the Institution cannot allow objects that are of major importance to any of its museums disappear from Smithsonian control. If that decision is made, then an arrangement must be made to assure equitable though disproportionate distribution of the trust funds for acquisitions