Preliminary Loan Request Form
Department of Anthropology
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Department of Anthropology is requesting that prospective borrowers answer the
questions below before we move a loan request into Active Loan Review status with a borrowing
institution. Please return this completed form to our Collections Manager, David Rosenthal
(rosenthd@si.edu).
Institution / Borrower details
Institution
Name
Position
Email
Phone
Date by which shipment of the loan is expected
(please indicate if this is a firm or approximate date in the Rationale)
Date of expected return of loaned objects
Number of Objects Requested. Please indicate actual number, if known, or estimate.
Object List. Please list, by catalog number if known, the objects being requested. We understand that
it may be difficult or impossible for prospective borrowers to generate a specific object list using only the
online database. Therefore, we encourage in-person visits to our collections when selecting objects for
potential loans. Please note that in most cases we discourage loan requests for more than 20 objects.
_____ I have searched through the Anthropology Collections Databases and confirm that the
catalog numbers (if available) are correct. (please initial to confirm)
Rationale for Requesting Smithsonian Objects. Please indicate the rationale for why the
particular Smithsonian object/objects are being requested. In addition indicate if other repositories have
been contacted about borrowing objects that could substitute for those being requested from the
Smithsonian.
Budget and Funding. Conservation, condition reporting, photography, bracket making, packing,
shipping, courier costs and insurance can be costly. Please indicate what funding your institution currently
has in place for this loan and what you have budgeted for the various services.
Intellectual Justification for the Loan. Please provide a narrative of the exhibition project, the
audience to which it is addressed, and the expected impact. To see the full set of conditions governing
loans and formal loan applications, see Formal Loan Application Information
Venues for traveling exhibitions. If the planned exhibition will travel, please indicate the number
of planned venues and, if possible, provide a list of their names.
Facilities Report Please indicate whether an AAM General Facilities Report (FR) for exhibitions is
available (including all venues for traveling exhibitions) Note: An electronic version of the first venue’s
facilities report will be required in order to complete a formal loan request.
_____ I have read and understand the Anthropology Loan Procedures (please initial to confirm)