The Association of Art Museum Directors moved Friday to impose sanctions on the Berkshire Museum, in Pittsfield, for selling a portion of its art collection to bolster its finances and renovate its building as part of a reinvention plan that emphasizes science and history.

The association has long held that proceeds from the sale of artwork should go only toward the acquisition of new works and should not be used to support an institution’s operations.

“Selling art to support any need other than to build a museum’s collection fundamentally undermines the critically important relationships between museums, donors, and the public,’’ the association said in a statement.

The sanctions, effective immediately, call on the organization’s 243 members neither to lend nor borrow artworks from the Berkshire and also to abstain from any collaborative projects with the museum.

“The possibility of sanctions was carefully considered by the board when deciding whether to deaccession any works to secure and sustain the museum’s future,’’ Carol Bosco Baumann, a spokeswoman for the museum, said via e-mail. “We determined then and strongly believe now that to protect our most important asset – the museum’s open doors – it was necessary, and even with regrettable sanctions like these, we could fulfill the mission of the museum and successfully serve the community.’’

The cash-strapped museum has come under widespread criticism since it revealed its intention last summer to sell up to 40 of its most prized artworks — including Norman Rockwell’s “Shuffleton’s Barbershop,’’ considered by many to be among his finest paintings.

Malcolm Gay

Globe staff

Malcolm Gay can be reached at malcolm.gay@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @malcolmgay