Exhibiting and educating

May collection items from formal colonial rule contexts be placed in a context other than the colonial one?

Yes. Even if a collection item originates from a formal colonial rule context, it should not be considered one-dimensional. Museums are called upon to present these items in other contexts, and not exclusively in that of colonialism. The museum should make its visitors more aware of the problem of the colonial context (see more details below). This should also be done in the awareness that collection items from colonial contexts can trigger a less than positive reaction among visitors (not only those from communities of origin).

Is it possible to exhibit collection items if the circumstances of their acquisition are unknown, but whose dating and origin suggest they are connected to formal colonial rule?

Yes. The answer above applies to the form of presentation.

However, presentation in an exhibition does not release the museum from its obligation to further explore the provenance of the collection items. For further clarification of the provenance, the active involvement of the public may be helpful if visitors (online or in the exhibition) are given the opportunity to provide information. To this end, information about the year of acquisition and previous owners or collectors may provide clues which can help further clarify the origins of collection items.

How should museums communicate with the public?

In general, a transparent communication strategy with regard to collection items from formal colonial rule contexts in the museum is recommended. Inventory lists or even multilingual databases which are accessible online are desirable. Many communities of origin have a fundamental interest in finding out where their cultural heritage is located – less (frequently) to formulate requests for collection items to be returned, but rather to be able to enter into an exchange of knowledge and a collaboration. Responses to reactions, requests, and criticism should be prompt and respectful.

What, in general, should be taken into account in publications?

Just like other collection items, those from formal colonial rule contexts can be described or depicted in museum publications of any kind (printed and online). In the case of culturally sensitive collection items (cf. p. 19), the museum should consider very carefully before publishing images of the items. Some communities of origin reject images – or descriptions 67 – of certain culturally sensitive items. If in doubt, a picture should be omitted. It may be advisable to include a note at the beginning of the publication indicating that sensitive items are depicted. Please also consult the following paragraph.

What should be taken into consideration in online publications and open access strategies?

The museum should develop ways of making inventories of collections from formal colonial rule contexts accessible to academics and the public (e.g. [online] databases). Out of respect, careful consideration should be given to whether photos/ images and also detailed descriptions of sensitive collection items, especially in the case of non-European collections, are published in online publications and open- access inventories/databases (cf. p. 19).

The museums should draw up their own guidelines on how to indicate the (possibly unclear) provenance of the collection items in online publications.

Are there any loan restrictions concerning collection items from formal colonial rule contexts?

Collection items from formal colonial rule contexts may provoke restitution claims. The borrower’s position on such claims should be clarified in advance. A few countries have a state “return guarantee” or legal protection against seizure by the courts/ police (e.g. Switzerland, the United States). The relevant legal framework must be clarified in advance.