The Royal Air Force Museum collects and safeguards objects for the benefit of different generations who have donated/continue to donate artefacts for present and future use, engagement and enjoyment. The continuing development of the collection enables people to explore the RAF story for learning and inspiration.
There is a delicate balance to be found between safeguarding objects and the necessity to review and develop collections in order to keep them relevant. This is done through acquisition and, in some cases, through transfers. Where objects are identified for transfer we give priority to other organisations in the UK public heritage sector before exploring alternative routes.
Collection Review
The Royal Air Force Museum collection exists to inspire everyone with the RAF story, the people who shape it and its place in our lives. To meet our commitment to maintaining a dynamic and sustainable collection we periodically review our collection to ensure it remains relevant to the Museum’s objectives and that we maximise public heritage benefits for the nation. Reviewing the collection identifies gaps in the collection, which require us to pro-actively collect new acquisitions, and ensure that each part of the collection is carefully evaluated in order to make the collection more focused. Where appropriate items identified through internal reviews are proposed for transfer, with priority for gifting given to other Accredited museums. The transfer process follows the Museum’s Collection Development Policy and the Museums Association’s Disposal Toolkit.
During the review a range of Museum professionals, forming a Collections Review Committee, will assess the collection and determine how it should be developed for the future. They will propose specific key acquisitions and they may recommend the transfer of objects. The review also enables us to consider present and future collection conservation and preservation needs.
We regularly consult with stakeholders and we ensure a range of expertise are included in the consideration of any objects within the collection review, as well providing information to individuals and groups internally and externally with an interest in specific proposed acquisitions and disposals.
The priorities for the transfer of objects are that they are done for sound curatorial reasons and for the future retention of artefacts within the public domain. The terms of the collections review are outlined in the Museum’s Collections Review Policy and supported by the principles of our Collection Development Policy. The primary purpose of these policies is to assist the Board of Trustees to ensure acquisitions and disposals are carried out for the public benefit and to comply with the professional standards of the Museum sector:
Transfer Outcomes
The priority for any object transferred from the collection is the continued retention of the artefact(s) selected within the public domain. The potential outcomes for transfers are:
- Free gift/transfer to another museum
- Exchange of objects between museums
- Free gift/transfer to another institution/organisation within the public domain
- Return to donor
- Sale (only after the options above have been fully explored)
- Destruction (only when an object has deteriorated beyond any future use, needs to be disposed of for reasons of Health & Safety or where other outcomes have been fully explored)