Museum silent auction item ideas that actually sell

For the general list, see our 100+ silent auction item ideas. A museum audience bids on access and expertise, and the institution already owns both.

Access to the building

• A private view of a new exhibition before it opens
• Dinner for a group in a gallery after closing
• The building for a proposal, a portrait sitting or a small ceremony
• Early entry on a busy weekend, for a family
• A photography session in the galleries out of hours
• Naming a bench, a study room or a piece of gallery furniture

Expertise and behind the scenes

• A curator-led tour for six, on a subject the winner chooses
• A store or storeroom visit with a collections manager
• A conservation studio visit, watching work in progress
• An object identification session with a specialist, for the winner's own things
• A day shadowing an exhibition install
• A researcher's session in the archive with a member of staff

This is the category that distinguishes a museum catalogue from every other. It is covered in full in curator-led experiences.

Art and objects donated for the auction

• Work donated by artists in your exhibition programme or your region
• Prints, editions and multiples from a partner gallery
• A commission: a portrait, a piece made to the winner's brief
• Books, catalogues and rare volumes donated by members
• Historic reproductions the museum shop produces

Agree the stated value and the artist credit before listing, in writing. That conversation is the most common source of friction in an art-heavy catalogue: valuing art and objects.

Goods, which fill out the catalogue

• Membership upgrades and gift memberships
• Museum shop bundles and publication sets
• Restaurant and hotel packages from local partners
• Travel with a cultural theme, donated by a member

What does not go in the catalogue

• Anything with an accession number, in any circumstances
• Objects carrying conditions from an original donor about sale or display
• Access to storage or conservation areas without the department's agreement and a member of staff present
• Handling of objects by a winner, unless it is a designed and supervised session
• Staff time that has not been agreed with that person's head of department

General information, not collections or legal advice for your museum. Accession policy, professional standards and any conditions attached to a gift govern — check your own policy and your registrar before acting on anything here.