Current Exhibitions

Recently enacted state and federal repatriation regulations require museums to prioritize consultation with indigenous communities regarding cultural objects in their care.  Stanford's repatriation officer, Laura Jones, and her staff in Heritage Services are assisting Cantor and other entities on campus in meeting these requirements.  

One of the new rules requires obtaining consent from affiliated Native American tribes for cultural objects on exhibit, and to minimize handling of cultural objects until consultation is complete.  This rule does not apply to all Native American objects. For example, works by contemporary Native American artists commissioned for exhibition are not affected by these new rules.  Objects excavated from archaeological sites without consultation with Native American communities are the focus of the consent requirements.  Additional objects acquired during the colonial era may also be affected if they are sacred or ceremonial objects.  Initial review of Cantor’s current exhibitions identified several cases of archaeological ceramics in the North Rotunda and five cultural objects from archaeological sites in Mark Dion’s The Melancholy Museum installation as clearly subject to the consent requirement.

Stanford is already engaged in consultations with Native American communities regarding museum collections.  While these consultations are underway, the cultural objects removed from archaeological contexts currently on display will be covered until agreements can be reached regarding appropriate treatment. Signage has been placed in the galleries to inform the museum’s visitors.