Where do art museums get their work that they display?

There are a few ways that art museums acquire works of art for their collections.

* Donations: Many art museums receive works of art as donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. These donations can be made in a variety of ways, including outright gifts, bequests, and promised gifts.

* Purchases: Art museums also purchase works of art from galleries, auction houses, and private dealers. The funds used to make these purchases can come from a variety of sources, including museum endowments, government grants, and donations from individuals and foundations.

* Loans: Art museums sometimes borrow works of art from other museums, galleries, and private collections for temporary exhibitions. These loans can be arranged through a variety of agreements, including reciprocal loans, long-term loans, and short-term loans.

* Commissions: Art museums occasionally commission new works of art from living artists. These commissions can be funded by a variety of sources, including museum endowments, government grants, and donations from individuals and foundations.

The specific mix of sources from which an art museum acquires its works of art can vary depending on the museum's mission, budget, and collecting policies. However, the goal of any art museum is to build a collection that is both representative and engaging, and that reflects the museum's unique perspective and identity.