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Frequently Asked Questions from Borrowers:
+ How do I borrow an artwork in the MALL's collection? The MALL is open to the public on a bimonthly basis. Click here for our schedule. Individuals may borrow one artwork for each two-month lending period. We require a government issued ID card to register all new borrowers. This helps us to insure the safety of work in our collection. + What kind of artwork is in the collection? Ceramics, small sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, collage, and printmaking. All work is by contemporary artists, both emerging and established, with a focus on work by Twin Cites artists. + Is there a fee? No, but we do welcome donations to support our efforts. + Can I purchase work from the collection? Yes! With a few exceptions. If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact us at info@artlending.org. If the work is available for sale, we will facilitate contact between you and the artist. 100% of resulting sales go directly to the artist - we take no commission. + What if something happens to work that I am borrowing? Contact us by email immediately. If the work was damaged due to your own negligence, we would appreciate your cooperation in paying the artist/artwork owner for the damage. |
Frequently Asked Questions from Artists:
+ So, I would just be giving out my artwork to complete strangers? Yes, strangers with an interest in both contemporary art and grassroots community building. + Am I donating my work, or lending it to you? Either! The majority of our collection is on loan to us by the artists, and you can request its return at any time (see below). We do also sometimes accept donations, using the same submission procedure. + What happens if my artwork gets damaged or stolen? We keep thorough records of all borrowers, and will seek to gain financial compensation on your behalf if damage to your artwork does occur. Our collection is also covered by insurance. In the case of theft or damage, we will work with you on an individual basis to compensate you for your loss. + Why should I trust this? One of the cornerstones of our organization is community building. Community is built on trust, and it is our desire to work toward to creation of a trust-based society. Our art lending library is modeled after similar trust-based projects in Seattle, Chicago, Berlin, France, and elsewhere. This is a time-tested model that we have found throughout our research to have been met with the utmost respect from participants in these locations. + How do I get my work back from the collection? Just email us. If your work is not currently checked out by a library patron, we will set up a time for you to pick-up your work or arrange for return shipping. If your work is currently checked out, you will have to wait until the end of the specified lending period to collect your work. + What do I get out of this? While we have no monetary compensation for participating, artists may sell their artwork to patrons and we take no commission of any resulting sale. We will facilitate contact, but any sales details are up to you. So far, two patrons have bought the artwork that they were borrowing from artists. A non-monetary benefit is that this project grants exposure to artists, especially emerging artists who may not yet have an exhibition history. More broadly, we are aiming to create an attitude change in the Twin Cities in terms of art ownership. The hope is that, once patrons experience living with art in their homes, they will be more likely to purchase art in the future. |
We will gladly answer any additional questions that you have. Please contact us at info@theledgempls.com.
