Eva Cohon and her daughter view a special exhibition of work recently added to the collection, including art by Nancy Hild, Bea Nettles, and Niki de Saint-Phalle, 2018. Photo by Della Perrone.

Krannert Art Museum’s collection has grown into the outstanding collection it is today based in large measure to gifts of art from private collections. While not every work offered is the right fit for the museum, we are always happy to consider potential contributions, and we appreciate you considering KAM as a potential home for your works of art. 

Sharing images of the works you wish to submit for consideration is the first step. Images from all sides as well as details of signatures and any other identifying marks are the most helpful in the initial analysis.

It is also helpful to share details of ownership history (provenance) if you know it. Work offered for consideration should not be delivered or brought in unless requested by the museum.

Please note that potential donors may be asked to assist in covering the cost of transporting the work to the museum for further consideration of acceptance.

Also, please be aware that under no circumstances can the museum consider accepting archaeological materials without a documented ownership history prior to 1970.

All acquisitions ultimately require final approval from the museum’s Collections Committee, which meets three times a year. Only at that point can an official deed of gift, solidifying the transfer of the work of art, be generated.

For tax purposes, works valued at $5000 and above require a qualified appraisal done no earlier than sixty (60) days before the contribution.  While the museum cannot provide this appraisal, we can point you to the following resources:

To propose a gift of art or discuss a potential contribution with the museum, please contact Brenda Nardi, Senior Director of Advancement, via email or at 217-265-6966.

Contribute Funds for Art Acquisition

Donors also often contribute funds that can be used toward art acquisition.

These gifts can support art purchases that enhance the collection in a meaningful way, pay expenses for shipping art to the museum, or make possible an art conservation project to protect work in the collection.

To donate to the Krannert Art Acquisitions Fund, please visit the Contribute link in the menu above.