Loan Request and Work Submission

Loan Terms and Conditions

• Provision and Return of Artworks

  The objects will be made available no earlier than 15 days before the exhibition opens. They must be returned no later than 15 days after the exhibition closes. The objects will be provided without display bases. In the exceptional case of objects that are already mounted on bases, the Mucem will specify this when sending the inventory list of the works.

  The Mucem is responsible for framing its 2D works (graphic arts, photographs, archival materials, etc.). In the case of a loan request requiring the framing of more than 10 works, the Mucem may agree to outsource this work, with the borrower bearing the cost.

• The Specifics of Borrowing Photographs

  The Mucem, following a decision by its internal loans and deposits committee and for reasons of conservation or availability, may offer a print, at the borrower’s expense. A high-resolution file will be sent by the head of iconography and still image collections (contact: reproductions@mucem.org).

• Fees to be paid by the borrower

  The borrower will be responsible for the following costs:

  • insurance;
  • packaging, shipping, and installation;
  • grounding and isolation;
  • expenses related to the round-trip escort. This includes lodging (breakfast included), the escort’s per diem, and taxi fares in the event of travel early or late in the day, or in the event of unexpected weather conditions. The duration of the transport is determined based on the distance; generally, it is 3 days/2 nights within France or Europe, etc.

  If applicable, the borrower will also be responsible for restoration costs.

• Transport and Shipping

  A Mucem escort must be present at every stage of the artwork’s transport:

  • abduction;
  • transport;
  • delivery;
  • from installation through to the closing of the display window.

  The return is made on a reciprocal basis.

  As a representative of the Mucem, the escort has full authority to take any necessary action to ensure the protection of the works in his or her care.

  Due to their fragility or the materials from which they are made, certain works require specific conditions for display or transport. These specific conditions are outlined in the guidelines provided to the borrower following the Mucem Loans Committee meeting and must be strictly adhered to.

  Road transport:

  • certified “artwork” carrier;
  • “Artworks” truck:
  • alarm in the van and circuit breaker,
  • upholstery and air suspension,
  • an air-handling system to maintain the temperature of the van between 18 and 20 °C,
  • equipment required for the assignment (tailgate lift, etc.),
  • a cell phone with a geolocation system,
  • two drivers,
  • one available seat for a passenger;
  • Reservation of exchangeable and refundable train tickets for the escort’s return trip.

  Air travel:

  • Packaging, transportation, airline tickets, and export formalities must be coordinated by one—and only one—carrier authorized to handle “works of art”;
  • supervision by the carrier at the airport (trucking to and from the airport, delivery to the cargo area, supervision of palletizing in the presence of the carrier’s representative, obtaining a badge, and assisting the carrier’s representative);
  • Booking of exchangeable and refundable airline tickets.

  As part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, the Mucem allows for shared transportation and the reuse of crates.

• Insurance

  The insurance policy is taken out after receiving written approval from the Mucem. It must be written in French and must include the following clauses:

  • door-to-door, i.e., round-trip transportation (including transit and stopovers) and exhibition(s) included;
  • against all risks, including property damage or loss, even if caused by force majeure or attributable to the fault of a third party;
  • at agreed value;
  • in the lender’s currency, or in euros;
  • no deductible;
  • covering the risk of deterioration;
  • with a waiver of recourse against carriers, packers, owners or custodians of the goods, the lender, or the lender’s custodians and agents;
  • with express mention of the inalienable nature of the works in the State’s collections held in the Mucem’s custody, and thus the exclusion of any grounds for abandonment. If, following a loss or theft, the artwork is recovered, the Mucem will reclaim the artwork and, in return, reimburse the insurers for the amount paid in connection with the loss, taking into account the condition of the artwork;
  • with the following provision (or any equivalent provision) for “pairs and sets”: “It is agreed that the loss of an insured work that is part of a set, a pair, or a collection of the same work constitutes a total loss of that set, pair, or collection. The insurer shall be required to reimburse the intrinsic value of the work, taking into account its highest value as part of the set”;
  • covering the risks of earthquakes, natural disasters, and/or weather events (cyclones, tornadoes, etc.), war, riots, strikes, and terrorism during transport and while on display;
  • and, if applicable, any other extensions of coverage expressly requested by the Mucem;
  • Any settlement of the claim must be made directly to the lender or its authorized representative, unless otherwise agreed by the Mucem.

  Any request for a government guarantee will be subject to the approval of the Mucem and the French Museums Service.

• Catalogs

  The borrower must send two copies of the exhibition catalog to the Mucem Conservation and Resource Center, 1 Rue Clovis Hugues, 13003 Marseille.

• What should you do if there is a change to the request?

  Any additional requests or changes to the list of works, dates, or exhibition venue must be submitted by email (regie.collections@mucem.org) and by mail no later than 3 months before the opening date. Such requests must be approved by the Scientific Committee of the National Museums.

  Any request to extend the loan beyond the originally scheduled duration must be submitted to the Mucem no later than one month before the originally scheduled end date. This request must be accompanied by a statement of reasons. If the request is approved, a supplementary insurance certificate must be submitted to the Mucem Collections Department no later than 10 days before the start of the extension.

• What should I do if my request is canceled?

  In the event that the requesting museum decides not to display the collections made available to it by the Mucem, it agrees to notify the Mucem as soon as possible. Any expenses incurred by the borrower (restoration, framing, pedestals, etc.) will not be reimbursed.

• Specific Features of Deposits

  Deposits of works do not apply to graphic arts or textiles and are granted for a maximum period of 5 years. At the end of this period, a request for renewal of the deposit must be submitted to the Mucem (regie.collections@mucem.org), which will decide on the request.

  Any request to borrow a deposited work must be approved by the Mucem and reviewed by the Scientific Committee of the National Museums.