The Bacon Estate (1)
The new year ushered in several important judicial decisions dealing with artlaw matters, including the Bacon Estate; the Sotheby’s and Christie’s so called ‘price fixing’ case; payments to artists of royalty fees by UK Universities; and…
Performance Art and The Law
The resurgence of performance related artistic practices over the past decade raises complex aesthetic, legal and, at times, ethical questions regarding the protection, authorship and ownership of the ‘works’ generated through these artistic practices. The…
Deaccessioning Public Collections
During these straitened economic times increasing numbers of public museums and galleries around the world have been driven to consider deaccessioning works in their collections; and many have done so. There are clearly ethical and policy arguments…
Your legal rights as an artist
As an artist, you have specific and well established legal rights. It’s important to know what these when you start out in the art world. Key legal issues that you should be aware of…
Earning money as an artist
Most artists earn only a small proportion of their income directly from their art. Earning a living off the sale of artworks, exhibitions and commissions is a reality for very few people. Many earn nothing…
Career planning for artists
Spending a bit of time planning your career and future as an artist can yield huge rewards. Unless you know very clearly where you want to be and how you’re going to get there, you’ll be…
Fundraising basics
Fundraising can be a full time occupation. What can you do if you want to get more effective at applying for grants without it taking over your life? Prepare application materials Every application needs to be tailored to…
Budgeting and money advice for artists
Before investing lots of time in researching funding and finance options, work out how much – and what kind – of money you need. Planning your budget We all need different levels of income…
Bartering and exchange
Bartering involves the exchange of goods and services without using money. It’s the earliest form of trade. Bartering has the advantage that you don’t need any money to start to make things happen. What you do need…
Spend less
The less money you spend, the less you’ll need to earn or raise. This will give more time to your practice. How can artists save money? Before you think about raising your income, work out if you can…
In what circumstances can I sublet or share my studio space?
You must check that your lease permits either subletting (temporarily or permanently leaving your studio and renting it to someone else) or sharing before agreeing this with someone else.…
‘She’s nobody’s child; the law can’t touch her at all’
It’s dip. Show time again: a time for looking back over the past years work and exhibiting it for public view; a time also for looking forward to taking the…
Tracing Work
Listen to me baby Wherever you may be I’m beggin’ over the radio Please come back to me – I’ve got a mind To move on down the line. * Many artists and galleries find great difficulty in…
Gallery commission
When you sell work through a gallery, they will often take a percentage of the sale. This is called a gallery commission. The gallery takes this money to help pay for their business costs. When you enter into…
The Length of Copyright
The Duration of Copyright and Rights in Performance Regulations 1995 implement EU Council Directive No 93/98/EEC and the European Economic Area 1993, which harmonise protection of copyright and certain related rights. In effect, they extend the…
National Studios Forum
The ‘Creating Places’ conference held at Tate Modern in July 2003 explored the role of studio workspace provision for artists in the UK (reported in this column AM269). It presented a comprehensive range of sector specific skills…
Can I sell my copyright?
Copyright can only be ‘assigned’ (sold or given away) by the execution of a written document signed by the copyright owner. It is not advisable, however, to assign or otherwise dispose of your copyright over…
Dire Straits – outside the gallery
No lies he wouldn’t compromise No junk no bits of string And all the lies we subsidise That just don’t mean a thing I’ve got to say he passed away in obscurity And now…