Outgoing Loans
Dr. Albert C. Barnes selectively made loans of works in the collection during his lifetime, and the Barnes considers loan requests on a limited basis to temporary exhibitions that support our mission to promote the advancement of education and appreciation of the fine arts.
Loan requests must be received a minimum of 12 months before the opening of an exhibition, though please note that we are at capacity for loans in the year 2026. Loans are limited to preserve the visitor experience of the permanent collection, and in general, no more than one work can be lent from a wall ensemble, and no more than two works from a room. The Barnes strongly prefers not to lend paintings from the center of wall ensembles. Works from the Main Gallery will only be considered for loan to exceptional partnership projects.
Application Process
Written requests on institutional letterhead should be addressed to Thomas Collins, Neubauer Family Executive Director and President, and sent to loans@barnesfoundation.org.
Requests should detail:
- The principal organizer of the exhibition
- All participating venues
- Contact information for organizing staff
- The exhibition title and exhibition dates at each venue
- The artist name, title, and Barnes object number of the requested object (refer to the online collection for the object number)
- An overall description of the exhibition and the significance of the requested work to the project
The request should also include:
- A copy of this form with details of the exhibition publication
- A facility report and climatic data for each venue (The Barnes requires that facility reports be the American Alliance of Museums standardized version or equivalent)
On receipt of the required information, requests will be acknowledged and reviewed. If any changes to your request are necessary after submission, updates should be emailed to loans@barnesfoundation.org.
Evaluation Criteria
In reviewing loan requests, the Barnes Foundation will consider:
- The scholarly and public impact of the exhibition and how the exhibition advances the scholarship and understanding of the requested object
- The role of the work in the exhibition publication
- Conservation concerns and whether the work can travel safely
- The environmental controls and security available at the requesting institution
- The impact of the requested loan on the Barnes’s educational programs and in-gallery experience
- The number of loans already committed to travel at the time of the proposed exhibition
Loan Administration
Borrowers should expect to pay all costs, fees, and expenses related to the loan. Further information will be provided after a loan request has been approved.
A work may only leave the Barnes on loan after the parties have signed a satisfactory written agreement setting forth the terms of the loan and once appropriate insurance coverage is in place for the object during transit and the term of the loan.