Donating Your Artifacts to the National Museum

Thank you for your interest in donating to the Japanese American National Museum. It is through the continued commitment of members and donors that the National Museum has developed the largest collection of Japanese American material culture in the world.

About our collection:
The scope of our collection encompasses the diverse history and culture of Americans of Japanese ancestry. We collect original artifacts and documents, including fine art, textiles, personal papers and letters, books, photographs, life histories, moving images, and other objects of everyday life, that date from the earliest days of immigration to the present.

To offer items to the Japanese American National Museum, please contact us:

• Include the following information
  • Your name and contact information
  • A physical description of the items (include measurements of height and width)
  • A condition evaluation: good, fair, poor (explain fair or poor)
  • Approximate date of origin
  • Any historical background: content of documents, when and where items were used or created and by whom, the personal or cultural significance, etc.
  • If possible, photos of the items
• Leave all items you plan to offer in their original condition. Do not paint, refinish, wash, laminate, mount, or "fix" them. Any alterations, no matter the intention, can damage the historical integrity of the item.
• Before making an offer, please read the explanation of a Deed of Gift on the back of this sheet.

A staff member will contact you within 10 working days of receiving your offer to inform you of its status and, if necessary, gather further information. Final decisions to accept items into the collection may take up to 9 months so patience is greatly appreciated. For further information on our evaluation process, please refer to the back of this sheet.

Because of the high volume of offers made to the Museum, we ask that you do not bring or send your items to the National Museum without first receiving instructions from a staff member to do so.

How can I help preserve Japanese American history for generations to come?

Often described as the "heart of the institution," the collection of the Japanese American National Museum is home to over 60,000 unique photographs, artifacts, films, publications, and documents, representing more than 130 years of Japanese American history. It is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

The National Museum is committed to preserving all items in its collection to the highest professional standards, as outlined by the American Association of Museums. Every item that enters the collection is fully cataloged and rehoused in archival quality materials. The collection is maintained in secure storage rooms with constantly monitored humidity and temperature levels. The National Museum is able to practice this level of collections stewardship through the continuing generosity of our supporters, who recognize the important role we play in holding history in trust for future generations.

For more information on ways to help support the collection, including membership and other giving opportunities with the Japanese American National Museum, please call Member and Donor Services at 213.625.0414 or visit: www.janmstore.com/contributions.html.

What is the process for accepting an item into the collection?
An offer is reviewed by curators and collections staff using criteria such as appropriateness to the scope of the collection, physical condition, and the number of similar items already in the collection. Staff meet once a month to discuss pending offers and make final evaluations. Because of the high volume of offers and the research that goes into each final evaluation, the review process may take up to 9 months.

What happens after the decision?
If the item is appropriate for the collection, a staff member will contact you to make arrangements to bring the item on site and to sign a Deed of Gift. If the item is declined, a staff member will contact you. At that time, if appropriate, we may suggest other institutions that might be interested in the item.

What is a Deed of Gift?
A Deed of Gift is a legal document that transfers permanent ownership to the Japanese American National Museum. It is considered irrevocable. Before offering an item, please be certain that all interested parties understand the implications of signing a Deed of Gift. Family members should be in agreement about the decision to make an offer and who has the legal authority to sign the Deed.

How will my items be used if they are added to the permanent collection?
Items from the Japanese American National Museum's collection may be used for exhibitions, for loans to other qualified institutions, for research, for outreach and education, and for reproduction in historical projects and publications.

Can you give me a monetary appraisal of my item?
The Internal Revenue Service classifies museums and libraries as interested parties and so, by policy, the Japanese American National Museum cannot provide monetary appraisals. To find a licensed appraiser in you area, you can request a referral from the following organizations: the American Society of Appraisers (www.appraisers.org); the International Society of Appraisers (www.isa-appraisers.org); or the Appraisers Association of America (www.appraisersassoc.org)