11.2: Art and the Law

Know How to Protect Yourself and Your Work
Read by Wed Nov 12,
Reading Response due Wed Nov 12,
Parks and Recreation, Sister City (2009)

Parks and Recreation
“Sister City’ 2009

Why?

There are a lot of legal considerations around the art of which artists should be aware. Primarily, there are laws governing sales and laws overseeing intellectual property and copyright. This set of readings covers primarily the latter.

Required

Artist Rights, Artists Rights Society

Read through each section (you will need to expand them to read them).

Response Questions

Select one question below to which you will respond. Remember to cite specific instances from the text to support your views.

  • What most surprised you in this reading set and why?
  • Which laws do you see are being the most pertinent to your practice and why?

Supplementary Readings

These are optional readings to help enrich your understanding of the themes of this reading set.

Art and Law
What Artists Need to Know About Art Law, Apollo

“What should artists consider when entering contracts, whether with galleries, museums or other parties? What recourse does an artist have if they find themselves in dispute with a gallery? Are artists sufficiently clued up about their intellectual property rights? Where can artists find independent advice beyond their galleries? In the final episode of Apollo and Charles Russell Speechlys’ art law series, Rebecca Davies, Michael Craig-Martin and Tim Maxwell explore how artists might best navigate the complex interaction between the cultural and commercial obligations that are often put on them. Moderated by Thomas Marks, the panel discusses potential pitfalls for artists in terms of their legal obligations, and how they can get good independent advice on their careers, both legally and strategically.”

Conversations | Salon | Art Law | 10 Cases: Any Why They Matter To You, Art Basel

Art part of Art Basel Miami Beach, Josh Baer (Publisher of Baer Faxt and Art Advisor, New York) and Peter R. Stern (Lawyer, McLaughlin & Stern LLP, New York) discuss ten specific cases of art law and why they matter.

11.1: The Gallery Courtship

Read by Mon Nov 10,
Reading Response due Wed Nov 12,
John Baldessari (1931-2020), Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell, 1966-68

John Baldessari (1931-2020)
Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell, 1966-68
Acrylic on canvas
68 1/4 x 56 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (173.36 x 143.51 x 3.81 cm)

Why?

You may not be seeking gallery representation or have any interest in it. However it is helpful to understand all the options and how they function. Conversely, you may want to pursue gallery representation, or you have an interest in forming a gallery and courting artists. This chapter addresses how gallery courtships often function and how they escalate.

Required

The Commercial Gallery Courtship, Art/Work

Pages 288–297

Response Questions

Select one question below to which you will respond. Remember to cite specific instances from the text to support your views.

  • What most surprised you in this reading set and why?
  • How might you go about gaining gallery representation? What’s your game plan? Remember to cite instances from the reading.

Supplementary Readings

These are optional readings to help enrich your understanding of the themes of this reading set.

Gallery Courtship
How Do Artists Get Gallery Representation?, Artsy

“But whether you’re entering the art world as a self-taught creative or an MFA graduate, the road to finding representation can be perplexing. It’s no longer appropriate to stride into a gallery wielding your portfolio, expecting to be discovered—so how do you land on the radar of the galleries you already admire and respect?”