The International Center for the History of Electronic Games® (ICHEG) encourages inquiries from individuals and organizations that have important electronic game related materials that merit a permanent home where they can help inform present and future generations about the history of electronic games, how they started and evolved, and the impact they have on society.
Frequently asked questions about donating materials
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Is the International Center for the History of Electronic Games actively collecting additional electronic games and related materials?
Yes. ICHEG is actively seeking additional examples of games, game platforms, handheld-game systems, toys that combine digital and traditional play, and supporting materials of all types, including other game-inspired consumer products, packaging, advertising, business and personal papers related to the design and production of electronic games and their use, and materials that chronicle electronic game industry milestones.
Must donated materials be in mint condition?
Items or collections offered to ICHEG should be complete (not missing significant parts) and in stable condition, but they do not have to be mint-in-box or look the way they did when new. It is not necessary to clean objects prior to offering them to ICHEG. Curatorial and conservation staff members examine each artifact to assure that its condition will allow it to be preserved for future exhibition, research, and educational needs.
What happens when ICHEG considers a donation?
Each potential acquisition is considered carefully. Curators evaluate each item or collection to make sure it supports ICHEG’s mission and does not duplicate objects already in the collections. When items or groups of items appear to fit those criteria, the curator responsible for the initial review presents a written justification for acquisition to The Strong’s Acquisitions Team. If that group agrees with the curator, a Deed of Gift form is prepared for the donor.
What is a Deed of Gift?
A Deed of Gift is a formal document that transfers legal ownership of the donated item(s) to The Strong. Provisions within the document allow donors to choose how they wish their donation to be acknowledged, define/assign intellectual property rights, or specify preferences for research access.
What are the financial implications of a donation?
The Internal Revenue Service has determined that The Strong qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization. In keeping with professional standards and accreditation requirements of the American Association of Museums, neither The Strong nor its International Center for the History of Electronic Games appraises items offered for donation. Donors are encouraged to seek the advice of counsel before claiming deductions for the purpose of computing income and heritance taxes under state and federal laws.
How are donations displayed?
Only a small percentage of the ICHEG’s collections can be shown in its exhibits and displays at any one time. However, donations are shared with a worldwide audience by way of the ICHEG’s Online Collections database and serve as an on-site resource for curators and outside researchers.
How can individuals or organizations donate to the ICHEG collections?
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games encourages queries from individuals and organizations that have important video game and electronic game materials that merit a permanent home where they can help inform future generations.
To inquire about donating games, platforms, or other materials, please contact:
Jon-Paul C. Dyson
Director, International Center for the History of Electronic Games
jpdyson@thestrong.org
+1 585-410-6341
