The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology welcomes the use of its collections for scholarly, educational, and artistic purposes. Access to the collections is by appointment only. All requests for access to the collections must be approved by that collection’s Curator (or Archivist) and must be arranged at least one month in advance. The collection areas are available for access Monday-Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. We will make every effort to accommodate all requests; however, circumstances may restrict access to some materials.
Any researcher wanting access to the collections must fill out a Request for Research Use of Collections Form and a Policy and Agreement for Research Use form. If the researcher plans on taking photographs of objects during their visit, the researcher should also fill out a Research Photography at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology form. Additionally, student researchers should provide a letter of support from a faculty member at their home institution who is advising them on their research project. Please submit these forms to the appropriate Curator and Collection Manager for consideration at least one month in advance. Requests may be sent via fax, email, or regular mail.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology encourages the use of its collections with a wide variety of research methods; however, the Museum must balance its trust responsibilities with its mission to promote research and education. Destructive analysis requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require the approval of the Collections Committee. Please submit all the forms required in the research access section in addition to the Destructive Analysis Request form to the appropriate Curator and Collection Manager at least one months in advance. If the collection is federally-owned or falls under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the researcher must also obtain permission from either the specific federal agency or from the affiliated Native American Tribe. This information should be included with the other forms.
Classes may utilize the collections areas for conducting lectures, and instructors may request collections for classroom use. These requests must be sent to the appropriate Curator at least one month in advance. Classes utilizing the collections areas may be limited due to occupancy limits and access to emergency exits. Students are not allowed in the collection areas without the instructor or a museum staff member present.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology supports collection tours to community organizations, members of the public, and to non-UNM school groups. Please contact the specific Curator and Collection Manager at least one month in advance to schedule a tour.
Loans of research material, education material, or objects for exhibition purposes are only made to qualified institutions; loans are not permitted to individuals. Loan requests must be arranged at least one month in advance and must be submitted to the appropriate Curator and Collection Manager.