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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Tal,

You have been given lots of great advice on the issue of assessing value. 

But I would suggest you also make sure you have several other issues well understood:  

First, make sure that all international laws are well understood. Is the piece being made abroad or in Israel? There may be import duty to pay.  

Second, make sure your contract spells out what happens when the museum closes, moves or you just plain decide they are no longer wanted. The norm is to give the artist first rights to buy them back.  But make sure that no one is going to freak out when they get auctioned off one day.

Third, as already stated look at the long term costs of maintaining them as well as the costs of installation, which can be high for large heavy pieces.

Oh and some day share pictures of the pieces with all of us on the listserv!


---- Tal Berman <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
>  
> 
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> I would like to know if any one can help me with the following problem
> that we face recreantly. Perhaps any one already had similar situation
> and we can use your experience . 
> 
> We have been made an offer by a west coast artist to receive a set of
> bronze sculptures of famous scientist, as a donation 
> 
> The artist of course wants to receive a tax refund on the actual value
> of the sculptures, rather than the metal value (which off course he have
> invoice for). 
> 
> Turns out that this is not that simple, - how are we going to deal with
> the IRS? What should be declared to the IRS? How do you set the true
> value of sculptures? The work, studio maintenance etc. 
> 
> If anyone has an idea....
> 
> We are interesting in this donation, and obviously we are   interesting
> that the artist will get full compensation  for his work.
> 
> It is important to state that although we are an Israeli national
> museum' our friends of the museum society is situated in the states' and
> is a 501c3 organization which can receive tax refunds in the US.
> 
>  
> 
> Thank you
> 
> Tal
> 
> Tal Berman; Ph.D.
> Head of the Exhibits wing
> The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology & Space;
> Daniel and Matilde Recanati Center
> 25 Shmaryahu Levin St.; Haifa, 31448; ISRAEL.
> Tel: +972-4-861-4452 Fax: +972-4-861-4352; Cell': +972-54-6115577
> Email:  <blocked::mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]; Site:
> <blocked::http://www.madatech.org.il/> http://www.madatech.org.il
> Skype: tal_berman
> 
> 
> 
>  LONGITUDE 320 48.587' N   LATITUDE 0340 59.790' E
> 
> 
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--
Erich Rose
Exhibit, Environmental and Industrial Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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