LA Museum Raids Prompt Premature Talk of Scandal

LACMA RESPONDS TO NEWS OF INVESTIGATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN OBJECTS IN ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION

Los Angeles--Today the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and several other museums in the area were presented search warrants by the Federal Government looking into circumstances surrounding the importation and donation or purchase of Southeast Asian objects that have come into the museums' collections from specific donors over the past several years. LACMA is fully cooperating with the Federal Government in its investigation, granting access to both staff and records in the Registrar's Office, Development Office, and Indian and Southeast Asian Art department. The museum has provided registrarial and donor files to the Federal authorities. All artworks remain in the museum's care. As of 2:15 pm, most of the agents had departed, with just a few remaining to continue their work with LACMA's information technology staff in accessing electronic files.

LACMA Director and CEO Michael Govan stated, "LACMA understands its critical role in researching objects before and after they come into the museum's collection. Indeed, ongoing research, including publishing our findings, and making our collection available online to any and all who are interested is central to our mission. LACMA will continue to look into the records associated with these objects and share findings with the public. We have a history of returning works of art where ownership claims are substantiated and will treat any claims regarding these works in the same manner."

The objects in question were gifts from Jonathan and Cari Markell, long time museum members and donors to LACMA. Following LACMA's standard protocol, donors were required to make representations regarding ownership and each piece was studied by the curatorial staff prior to coming into the collection. Like all pieces in its collection, once acquired, the museum's staff of curators and conservators continue to research and to publish their findings. LACMA's collection is available online at http://collectionsonline.lacma.org/.

LACMA has taken an early lead in the field in responding to claims brought by heirs and owners of works in its collection. In March, 2002, when information came to light that a textile in LACMA's collection had been looted by the Nazis during World War II, it was returned to the owner of the object, the Polish government, for public display. LACMA's acquisition policy is consistent with all U.S. laws and guidelines established by UNESCO and policies set forth by the American Association of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directors.

The search warrant affidavit is a matter of public record and can be located through the US Central District Court, docket # 08-0100M.

LACMA will continue to make information available as it becomes known via its website (www.lacma.org).