deaccession

American  

[dee-ak-sesh-uhn] / ˌdi ækˈsɛʃ ən /

Or de-accession

verb (used with object)

1. to sell (a work of art) from a museum's or gallery's collections, especially with a view to acquiring funds for the purchase of other works.

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verb (used without object)

1. to deaccession a work of art from a museum's or gallery's collections.

noun

1. a deaccessioned work of art.

Etymology

Origin of deaccession

First recorded in 1970–75; de- + accession

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deaccession

Restricted funds can include money raised through the deaccession and sale of art donated to a museum’s collection.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2025

I tried to deaccession her from this story, to put her out of my mind, but I couldn't.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2022

UCLA’s thoughtful plan to deaccession the Picasso to benefit future acquisitions is exemplary, while the Met’s monetizing is dangerously crass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2021

“I also realize that others may have different philosophies. It is my professional opinion that a deliberate deaccession program is appropriate, useful, and necessary for an art museum like ours.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2021

The BMA’s statement said the works were selected “through a rigorous collection review process led by the museum’s senior curators, who proposed the artworks for deaccession, in accordance with AAMD’s criteria.”

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2020