STUDY PROGRAMME
Contemporary Arts Markets

AFAM CODE
ABLE70

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Legislation and economy of art and performing arts

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Art market legislation

CREDITS
6

APPROACH
Theoretical

The course provides students with overall knowledge of the Art Law discipline. With a comparative approach, the legal aspects of the artist rights, the identification and protection of artwork, the contracts on the circulation of artwork, and the management of artists’ archives will be covered and analysed. Particular attention will be dedicated to contemporary artwork, not neglecting the study of the peculiar discipline of cultural heritage law. The art market is a constantly growing sector and consequently its analysis is of crucial importance, above all from a legal point of view. While on one side the art market is characterised by global vocation, on the other side it is important to know and consider the peculiarities of each national legislation.

The programme consists of one single module, which grants 6 CFA credits.

Successful students will be able to:

• Understand the importance of the legal aspects of the art system

• Develop deep understanding of the art legislation on the global market

• Gain overall knowledge of the Art Law discipline as an asset for all the professionals willing to work within the art system

• Definition of artwork in civil and common law

• Contemporary artwork and copyright

• Integrity of contemporary artwork, reactivation and restauration

• Contracts for the circulation of artwork

• Cultural heritage law

• Artists’ archives

This is a theoretical course. Didactic activities may include:

• Classroom lectures

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools for detailed study

• Active participation to classes through debates and presentations

• Individual study and research

• Exercises and revisions

• Field trips

Assessment is based on the overall competence of the students and may include:

• Oral exam

• Written exam

• Submission of papers, projects or research work

Further details on specific tests can be provided during the course. Assessment criteria include commitment, active participation and personal growth of the students over the course.

• Donati, A., Ferrario, R., Simoncelli, S. (2018), Artists’ archives and estates: cultural memory between law and the market, Milano: ESI.

• McClean, D., Shubert, K. (Eds) (2002), Dear images: art, copyright and culture, London: Ridinghouse – ICA.

• Rhodes, A. (2011), Art Law & Transactions, Durham: Carolina Academic Press

Further bibliographic recommendations may be provided by the professor during the course. A lot of the referenced material, together with other in-depth study material, can be consulted online in MyNaba, in the Library section.