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10, 9, 8…the Biggest Art Law Report Stories of 2014 and a Look Ahead

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on December 31, 2014 at 5:00 AM

As the ball teeters above Times Square, and the Glühwein begins to mull on the Art Law Report stove (don’t forget the cinnamon!), a gimmicky but apropos act of reflection is to look back at the biggest stories of 2014, both in art law generally and for yours truly and Sullivan & Worcester LLP. In highly subjective, unverifiable, and immediately criticizeable order, here they are. Thanks as always for reading, and best wishes for in interesting, prosperous New Year. If you agree, disagree, or otherwise, please continue to stay in touch and carry the conversation forward.

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Topics: Comedy Central, Deaccession, Schwabinger Kunstfund, Charitable Foundations, National Gallery of Art, Knoedler, Cornelius Gurlitt, Blogs, authentication, authenticity, parody, William Corcoran, Moral Rights, Above the Law, Germany, George Washington University, Glühwein, Nazi-looted art, Gurlitt Collection, Norton Simon, Graffiti Art, Superior Court, Cy Pres, Washington DC, VARA, Detroit Institute of Arts, Bankruptcy, Corcoran College of Art + Design, Dumb Starbucks, Preemption, Asher Edelman, DIA, Restitution, Marei Von Saher, Artmentum GmbH, Bavaria, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, World War II, Copyright, Times Square, Art Fairs, Kunstmuseum Bern, Corcoran Gallery, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Museums, Raubkunst, Detroit Bankruptcy, Fair Use, Münchner Kunstfund, Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity, Graffiti, Civil Forfeiture, Art Law Report

Barnes Relocation Case Sanctions Award Upheld, But Also Reduced

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on March 13, 2012 at 6:16 AM

Montgomery County Orphan’s Court Judge Stanley R. Ott, the presiding judge in the unsuccessful challenge to the Barnes Foundation’s move to Center City in Philadelphia has upheld his award of sanctions against the plaintiffs challenging the move. After a recent hearing, the judge awarded the Barnes $25,000 in attorneys' fees from the Friends of the Barnes, and a separate $15,000 form a lawyer who had filed a challenge in his own right.

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Topics: Montgomery County Orphan's Court, Charitable Foundations, The Art of the Steal, Philadelphia, Stanley Ott, attorneys' fees, Center City, Estate Planning, Barnes Foundation

Artist-Endowed Foundations

Posted by Judith Edington on November 11, 2011 at 6:53 AM

A fascinating panel discussion on "artist-endowed foundations" was held on November 8, 2011 at the Sackler Museum at Harvard University. The panel was convened to share and discuss the findings of the Aspen Institute's National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations (the “Study”). The Study defines an artist-endowed foundation as a private foundation created or endowed by a visual artist for use in furthering charitable and educational activities serving a public benefit. The foundations are generally funded with any combination of art collections, archives, libraries, intellectual property and investment assets.

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Topics: Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Charitable Foundations, Joan Mitchell Foundation, Christine J. Vincent, Robert Motherwell, Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Sackler Museum, Aspen Institute's National Study of Artist-Endowed, Marion R. Fremont-Smith, Harvard University Art Museums, Dedalus Foundation, Charles C. Bergman

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About the Blog


The Art Law Report provides timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities. It is authored by Nicholas M. O'Donnell, partner in our Art & Museum Law Practice.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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