Donating objects to CofGâr
Why we collect
The CofGâr collection includes objects donated by people, families, groups and organisations over the last 100 years.
These objects help us tell the stories of Carmarthenshire and its people. Some of these stories might have been lost without the help of our donors.
We would like to keep collecting objects that are important to our county to preserve these stories for the future. We aim to present them in new and inventive ways and encourage more people to share them. And we aim to use these stories to help people to learn from the past to improve today and plan for tomorrow.
Looking after the collection
We already care for more than 50,000 objects across five museums. Many of these objects are quite small, but some can be much larger. We only have limited space for new objects to be safely displayed or stored.
Looking after so many objects takes time, care and resources. Each object needs to be stored, checked and cared for to make sure it remains in good condition for future generations.
Why we cannot accept every offer
Because of the size of the collection, we can only accept a small number of the items offered to us each month. We have to be very selective about which objects we accept.
We understand that this can be disappointing. Every object is important to the people who own it and has its own story.
Please do not bring any objects into the museum without first making an appointment. We cannot accept or examine any objects without an appointment.
How do we decide what to collect
Museums that meet national standards have a collecting policy. This policy helps them decide which objects to add to their collections and which objects they cannot accept.
These standards help museums care for their collections properly and plan for the future. They also help ensure museums are trusted places for communities, visitors and researchers.
CofGâr follows these standards too. All CofGâr museums are either accredited or working towards accreditation. This means we must meet the standards expected of us.
How we make collecting decisions
When an object is offered to us, whether as a donation, bequest or purchase, we assess its importance to the collection. To help us make fair and consistent decisions, we consider six areas of significance. These areas help us understand how well an object connects to the history, people and places of Carmarthenshire.
Areas of Significance
Provenance
Examples of this might include:
- Who made the object and why?
- How did its present owner acquire it?
- Was the maker/owner a person of significance?
- Does the object/maker/owner have significance for a specific group or community?
- Does it have a connection to Carmarthenshire?
Rarity | Uniqueness
Examples of what this means might be:
- Is the object unique or unusual?
- Is the object something that can't be replicated?
- Is it the only or best example of its type in a public collection?
- Does it have distinctive features?
Sensory Impact
Examples of this might include:
- Does the object show great technical or creative ability?
- Does it have a strong sensory/visual/emotional impact?
- Is its design original, innovative or influential?
- Is it recognised as 'iconic' locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally?
Condition
Examples of this might include:
- Is the object intact/in its original condition?
- Is it in unusually good condition for objects of its type?
- Can it be safely handled?
- Does any conservation work or damage tell us about its history/usage?
- Is it still in working order (if it is a working object)?
Meaning
Examples of this might include:
- Does the object reflect or highlight a particular event, theme, person, or group of cultural or historical significance?
- Could it make a significant contribution to the study of any specific subject?
- Is it associated with a discovery or innovation in the history of science, technology or design?
- Does it highlight beliefs, ideas, customs or traditions related to a specific community or group?
'Exploitability'
Examples of this might include:
- Could the object be used to support outreach or raise the organisations profile?
- Could it be used to raise the profile and/or awareness of the culture/history of a specific community or group?
- Could it support creative or economic activity for a specific community or group?
- Does it have the potential to support income generation or business/product development?
My object meets some of your criteria
That's great! If you have read the examples above and think your object may be suitable for the collection, we would like to hear from you.
What to do next
Please email us at info@cofgar.wales and tell us as much as you can about your object.
When emailing, please include:
- how the object is connected to Carmarthenshire
- why you think it is important or significant
- details about its history or previous owners, if known
- information about its condition
- photographs of the object, if possible
The examples above show the type of information that helps us assess an object.
Remember
We can only decide whether to accept an object based on the information you provide.
The more information you can give us, the better we can understand your object and its significance.
Valuations
Please note that we cannot provide valuations for objects.
If you would like a valuation, we recommend contacting a local auction house or qualified valuer.
Can I bring my object to the museum?
Not yet.
The CofGâr Acquisitions Group meets once a month to review objects that have been offered to the museums or may be available to purchase.
The group considers how well each object meets our collecting criteria before deciding whether it is suitable for the collection.
How long will it take?
Most objects do not meet enough of the criteria to be accepted into the collection. In some cases, we may need to ask for more information before we can make a decision.
We aim to contact you within eight weeks. If you have not heard from us after this time, please assume that we are unable to accept your object.
If your object is accepted
If we would like to add your object to the collection, we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for you to bring it to the museum.
Please do not bring your object to the museum until we have contacted you and arranged an appointment.
When will my object go on display?
Most objects accepted into the collection are not put on display straight away.
Permanent displays take time to plan and create. They are usually designed around specific themes and stories. Temporary exhibitions are also planned well in advance.
If your object is not displayed immediately, it is still valued.
Once accepted, it will be:
- recorded in our collections database
- photographed
- cared for and stored appropriately
- available for research, education and future exhibitions
You are also welcome to arrange an appointment to view your object.
Handling collection
Some of the objects offered to us may be more suitable for our handling collection.
The handling collection allows children, families and community groups to explore history through touch and hands-on learning. Holding an object, feeling its weight or touching marks left by the people who made it can help bring the past to life in a memorable way.
Objects in the handling collection are used regularly. Over time, this can cause wear and damage. However, these objects play an important role in helping people learn about and connect with history.
Can I leave objects to the museum in my will?
Yes.
If you are considering leaving an object to the museum in your will, please contact us with details of the item. We will assess whether it meets our current Collecting Policy and let you know if we would be able to accept it.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee we will be able to accept a bequest in the future. Circumstances may change over time. For example, we may have acquired similar objects before the bequest is received, or our collecting priorities may have changed.
Because of this, any decision we make now will be reviewed when the bequest becomes available.