Requests

When possible, the Colby Museum lends artworks from its collection to exhibitions organized by other institutions. Requests must be submitted in writing to the attention of Jacqueline Terrassa, Carolyn Muzzy Director, Colby College Museum of Art. The letter should include the title of the exhibition, the exhibition dates, and full information on the artwork requested, including its accession number. The letter should also include a brief description of the exhibition, whether there will be an accompanying publication, and specific information on the contribution that the artwork will make to the show.  
 
Submit your request at least one year in advance of the exhibition opening. Requests received less than one year out may not be considered.  
 
A facility report should accompany the loan request letter whenever possible. The Colby Museum requires that the report be the American Alliance of Museums standard version.   
 
Following curatorial and collection staff review, the prospective borrower will receive a letter of notification. If the requested loan is approved, a member of the collections staff will also be in contact regarding loan agreements and next steps.  
 
Additional loan requests for an exhibition that already has an approved Colby Museum loan must be received six months in advance of the opening. If one or more venues are added to an exhibition, they are also subject to approval, and such requests should be received at least six months prior to the closing of the show at the previous venue.

The Colby Museum is a teaching institution that supports Colby courses across the curriculum, and the Landay Teaching Gallery is used regularly for visiting classes that wish to have artworks pulled from storage for viewing and discussion. As time and staff capacity allow, the Landay Teaching Gallery also welcomes researchers seeking to study collection works that are not on view in the galleries. Please contact Jenna Buckingham, collection access coordinator, at jbucking@colby.edu to inquire about an appointment; your message must provide information on the work(s) of interest, including accession number(s). Please note that due to our commitment to teaching, appointment availability is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate requests with less than three months’ advance notice. Upon receipt of your request, museum staff will respond regarding the day, time, and location of your appointment as well as the availability of the object(s) requested.

Researchers may request to view collection artworks’ object files. To request an appointment, please contact Jenna Buckingham, collection access coordinator, at jbucking@colby.edu with information on the file(s) of interest, including the accession number(s) of the related artwork(s). Please note that appointment availability is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate requests made with less than four weeks’ notice.

In addition to object files, the Colby Museum cares for papers and other archival documents related to its history. For questions related to a specific exhibition or other aspect of the museum’s history, please email info@colbymuseum.edu.  
 
Those interested in learning more or requesting an appointment to consult material related to the Alex Katz Collection, the Lunder Collection of artwork by James McNeill Whistler, or the Whistler reference collection should contact info@colbymuseum.edu at least two weeks in advance of their planned visit. View the finding aid for the Katz Archive here.