This report of the Ethics and Standards Committee of the Association of Art Museum Directors is based upon an updating and rewriting of the professional practices statement published in 1971. Even under ideal circumstances, the proper assignment of responsibility in the administration of an art museum proves to be a complicated matter.

This Report has, therefore, been drawn up to suggest the respective responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and the Director in order to clarify details and ease problems of administration. A museum is an intricate organization. Trustees, staff, visitors, members and public officials all have an interest in the institution.

It is easy to underestimate (or exaggerate) the influence of any one of these. Good governance depends on a reasonable allocation of responsibilities among all those groups in order to make the structure of authority credible. It is impossible that all should decide or be consulted on every issue. In principle, the museum exists to make its collections and its related programs accessible to the public. This objective is most likely to be achieved where there is a sharing of information, and a readiness to subject authority to the requirements of a well-defined system of accountability. (p. 24-45).

CONTENTS
Introduction.
Policy.
The collection.
The program.
Finances.
Legal matters.
Physical plant.
Personnel and labor relations.
Appointment of director.
University/college museums practices.
Conclusion.
Appendix:
     A. A code of ethics for art museum directors.
     B. Guidelines for reproductions of works of art.

This report of the Ethics and Standards Committee of the Association of Art Museum Directors is based upon an updating and rewriting of the professional practices statement published in 1971. Even under ideal circumstances, the proper assignment of responsibility in the administration of an art museum proves to be a complicated matter.