Donating to the Collections

Current collection priorities focus on the history, art, cultural lifeways, and contributions of the thirty-nine tribal nations in Oklahoma.

Collections at the Museum may include, but are not limited to:

• Art (paintings, works on paper, sculpture, textiles, basketry, jewelry, digital art, etc.)
• Culturally Based Items (musical instruments, regalia, tools, etc.)
• Historical Items (military uniforms, memorabilia, instruments, items of historical interest related to our mission, etc.)

The Museum rejects unethical collecting practices, trafficking in cultural items and the illicit looting of cultural sites, all of which are contrary to the values of the Museum. FAM is committed to practicing the highest ethical and professional standards when acquiring items for our collections.

The Museum will not collect any of the following:

• The Museum will not accept nor acquire human remains or funerary objects.
• The Museum will not accept nor acquire items that are NAGPRA sensitive, including ceremonial items or otherwise items that are considered sacred or have cultural patrimony, without the written consent of the affiliated tribal community.
• The Museum will not accept nor acquire precontact archaeological materials. (No arrowheads or lithics)

In addition, the Museum does not, and will not, knowingly acquire any items in violation of the laws and regulations of the United States, including but not limited to the following:

• Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA)
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA)

A full list of laws and regulations pertaining to cultural resources can be found here

The process for making donations to FAM’s collections has many steps prior to a final decision.

• Step 1 – All donors must first obtain an Acquisition Proposal Questionnaire Form. This form can be found here. If you would like a form mailed to you, please email your request to Donations@FAMok.org.
• Step 2 – Submit your completed form to FAM’s’ Department for Institutional Advancement at Donations@FAMok.org

  or by mail to: 

  First Americans Museum
  Department for Institutional Advancement
  659 First Americans Blvd
  Oklahoma City, OK 73129-6142

• Step 3 – Once received, the Acquisition Proposal Questionnaire Form will be reviewed by FAM staff.
• Step 4 – Acquisitions recommended by FAM staff will be reviewed by a Board Committee. This committee will vote to accept or decline the offer.  The Committee’s recommendation will be reviewed by the Board of Directors for final approvals.
• Step 5 – FAM staff will communicate the Board’s decision to the donor. If accepted, the museum will accept custody of the item and the donor will complete a “Deed of Gift”.

Due to the number of offers we receive; it may take up to 6-12 months to administer the donation request. We will keep potential donors informed throughout the donation process.

NO. FAM is not able to accept unsolicited items mailed or brought into the Museum.
Please do not bring items to the Museum without prior staff approval.
FAM reserves the right to dispose of any unsolicited items delivered to the museum.

The Museum will use items in its collections for the following purposes:

• Exhibitions
• Research
• Education and Public Programming
• Public and Administrative Use
• Community Outreach

FAM cannot guarantee that any donated item will be displayed to the public.  Only a small percentage of our collection is on view at any given time. Collection items that are not on display are kept in secure, climate-controlled storage areas to ensure preservation and may be used for any of the above purposes.

Yes, donations to FAM/AICCF are tax deductible.  It is the responsibility of the donor to establish a value of their donation for tax purposes. Donors should contact an appraiser to establish a value.

You may find a qualified appraiser by contacting the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America.

Museum staff are restricted by the Internal Revenue Service from providing appraisals or assigning values to works. This is considered a conflict of interest for the institution.

FAM/AICCF cannot appraise the value of any item or recommend specific appraisers.  You may find a qualified appraiser by contacting the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America.

No, unfortunately we cannot accept every donation that is offered. 

All items offered to FAM undergo a thorough assessment process.  This process ensures that all newly acquired collection items are consistent with the scope of our collections, and that we can properly care for these items now and in the future.

FAM staff consider several priorities while assessing donation items.

• Does the item fit the mission and collecting scope of FAM?
• Is it culturally ethical to collect this item?
• Does the museum already have a similar item?
• What is the physical condition of the item?
• Is conservation work needed to preserve the item or make it suitable for exhibition?
• Is the item better suited to the collection of another institution or tribal entity?
• Are there costs associated with the care of the item?
• Can the donor support the necessary costs of conservation and care?

There are a variety of costs associated with collections care and exhibition, some of these include:

• Archival quality housing and storage supplies
• Environmental climate control
• Pest management
• Conservation
• Storage space
• Professional staff time
• Insurance

FAM may occasionally purchase items for its collection however, funding is limited. At this time, FAM staff focus is on the review of gift donations and bequests.