Gifts of Art or Books
We are honored and deeply grateful to those collectors, artists, and families who decide to make gifts of original art or rare picture books.
Donating Art to Our Permanent Collection
Our collections committee reviews all potential donations to ensure The Carle is the best home for each work of art. Our holdings number over 12,000 objects, including more than 8,000 permanent collection illustrations that are regularly exhibited and loaned.
If you are interested in donating a work of art, please direct your inquiry to Isabel Ruiz Cano, Associate Curator, at isabelr@carlemuseum.org or 413-559-6345. Note The Carle cannot provide value estimates as it is a breach of museum ethics. Donors need to seek independent appraisals.
Gifts of art like this one, by celebrated children’s book illustrator, Alice Bolam Preston (1888–1958), continue to inspire and delight our passionate art and book-loving community.
Donating Rare Picture Books to Our Libraries
The Carle is grateful for the donations it regularly receives from publishers for its Reading Library. The Museum rarely accepts donations of picture books from individuals.
The Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL) accepts professional and scholarly resources in new or like new condition. Rare or unique picture books are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Because of limited space in our libraries, we cannot accept all donation inquiries. If you wish to donate to one of The Carle’s libraries please contact Courtney Waring, Director of Education, at courtneyw@carlemuseum.org and provide a proposed donation list of books, including title, author, illustrator, publisher, and publication year.
Please note: The Carle cannot provide value estimates as it is a breach of museum ethics. Donors need to seek independent appraisals. If a donation inquiry is accepted, shipped materials are handled at the donor’s expense.