Artifact & Instrument Donations
Thank you for your interest in donating items to the Museum of Making Music. As a collecting institution, the Museum of Making Music works to acquire and exhibit artifacts that highlight the work of the music products industry and demonstrate how music connects people.
Each donation request is thoughtfully considered to determine whether the donation aligns with the institution’s mission.
If you believe you have an instrument or object that may be a good fit, please complete the form below. For further information, see the Artifact Donation FAQ below, or contact museum@museumofmakingmusic.org
Due to gallery and storage limitations, the Museum is not accepting donations of pianos, player pianos, organs, autoharps, sheet music, or recorded music. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we curate a collection that best serves our mission and available space!
Donate an Instrument: Donation Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Our collection includes a wide range of items. Some examples include:
- Musical instruments
- Instrument accessories (e.g. mutes, straps, strings, and picks)
- Musical technologies (e.g. electronic musical instruments and recording devices)
- Musical ephemera (e.g. photographs, catalogs, manuals, and instruction guides)
*The items in this category are usually better suited for the NAMM Resource Center; however, they may be considered for display if it supports an item on display. Please contact info@namm.org for ephemera donation inquiries.
No. Please fill out the Donation form first. The Museum Director will review and schedule an appointment if it is determined more information is needed about your item. Museum staff and volunteers will not be able to accept or handle unscheduled donations. The Museum of Making Music reserves the right to dispose of any unsolicited materials delivered to the Museum.
After your Donation form is submitted, the Museum Director will review your request and determine if your item(s) align with the Museum’s collection policy. From there, they will either request more information or decline your request. Due to a high volume of requests, this process typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Yes, we accept loans. However, we do not accept long-term loans exceeding a period of 3 years. Please contact museum@museumofmakingmusic.org for more information.
Due to the high volume of donation requests and limited staff size, please allow us 2-3 weeks to consider your request. We appreciate your patience.
No. If you have questions or would like to know more about these services, contact the Artifacts and Exhibitions Manager for advice on external resources. Nicole Blue: nicoleb@namm.org
No. California law strictly prohibits a museum from providing appraisal and valuation services, as this is considered a conflict of interest. If the donor wishes to declare the donation as a tax deduction, the donor is responsible for obtaining a third-party appraisal.
We do not guarantee that your donated item will be displayed in the Museum. Due to the small size of our museum, only a small percentage of our collection can be on display at once. While artifacts are not on display, they are kept in storage.
By signing the Deed of Gift, you are agreeing to the permanent transfer of ownership. Once the donation is complete, the item is given an identification number, cataloged, and assigned a storage place until it may be used for display.