The Museums' Collections

It is estimated that the Danish museums have more than 10 million objects in their collections, most of which have been collected over many years.

The cultural heritage museums primarily increase their collections via ethnological and archaeological investigations, whereby the objects are placed in a documented context. In addition, the museums purchase objects or receive them as gifts, e.g. if they are bequeathed to the museum.

The art museums purchase most of their works at auctions or from the artists themselves. Bequests are also important; many art collectors leave their entire collections, or parts thereof, to a museum.

In general, the museums pursue a restrictive collection policy since it is expensive to store objects and secure them for posterity, particularly if the object is a large agricultural machine or the entire interior of a joiner's workshop. A museum should only collect objects that are of relevance to its area of responsibility, and are not found in other museums. Museums therefore often decline gifts.

Disposal of Objects

In some situations it may be appropriate for museums to dispose of objects. The state-subsidised museums may assign objects from their collections to state-owned museums, or to other state-subsidised museums. In all other cases, the disposal of objects requires the permission of the Heritage Agency.

From time to time, museums are permitted to dispose of objects of little museum value or that are in very poor condition. If possible, the object must be returned to the original donor or his/her heirs. The museum may also obtain permission to use the object in its dissemination activities. The final option is destruction. The museums may in no circumstances sell objects or give them away.