Legal Guide for the Visual Artist

Alma Robinson, Executive Director, California Lawyers for the Arts
Tad Crawford's readable guide is filled with practical legal advice for visual artists, as well as insightful discussions of ethical issues. Immediately useful are the sample agreements and forms, explained in the context of common business practices in the art world and the environment of numerous state and federal laws


Richard Gref, Executive Director, American Institute of Graphic Arts
The challenge for any designer or artist is to learn enough about his or her rights to challenge unwarranted incursions early and call in reinforcements when necessary. This Legal Guide is the first line of defense for every designer after, of course, Allworth's stunningly focused AIGA Professional Practices in Graphic Design


Arnold Roth, cartoonist
It might not be convenient to hold this book in one hand while drawing or painting with the other. On the other hand, to do so is an excellent idea


George Koch, President, National Artists Equity Association
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist is written in very clear language which helps to take a lot of the uncertainty and worry out of understanding business and legal issues and allows me to focus on the business of making art


Paul Davis, graphic designer and painter
Keep this book within reach at all times. It's not only essential for an artist's self- preservation, but also a fascinating read


Timothy S. Kelley, Director of Legal Services, Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist is essential for both the beginning artist and the seasoned art professional. It demystifies the legal issues all artists must understand to survive in the business of art. I recommend it to all artists, and use it as a text in legal classes for artists


Paul Basista, Executive Director, Graphic Artists Guild
This fourth edition of the Legal Guide includes the cutting-edge issues in the new technologies and new media that will shape the futures of all graphic artists. This book should be on every professional artist's must-buy list, right beside the Guild's Pricing and Ethical Guidelines


Jay Maisel, photographer
I've been in business for forty years and the book enlightened me in ways I didn't even know I was stupid. It's an incredibly well-done book. Just buy the book, don't ask questions. Just buy it. If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back


Book Description
This highly acclaimed reference book presents a comprehensive overview of the legal issues faced by anyone working in the visual arts. The narrative text is arranged into twenty-four chapters covering: copyright, contracts, censorship, moral rights, sales (by artist, gallery, or agent), taxation, estate planning, museums, collecting, and grants. The book suggests basic strategies, gives information to help with further action, and contains many sample legal forms and contracts. This edition is a complete revision, providing not only updated legal information, but also covering the ever-increasing importance of new media and electronic rights.


About the Author
Tad Crawford, president and publisher for Allworth Press in New York City, studied economics at Tufts University, graduated from Columbia Law School, clerked on New York State's highest court, and represented many artists and arts organizations when he actively practiced as an attorney. The author or co-author of nine books on business and the creative professions, he is a columnist for Communication Arts magazine and has also written articles for magazines such as Art in America, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, The Nation, and Self. A member of the Jung Institute and the Analytical Psychology Club of New York City, he lectured on mythology at the Jung and the Humanities conference keynoted by Joseph Campbell. He served as chairman of the board of the Foundation for the Community of Artists, has been invited to address many national arts organizations, and has been a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. The recipient of the first Walter Hortens Memorial Award for service to artists, he has also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for his writing on behalf of artists. He lives in New York City with his wife, Susan.


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Updated legal information and vital data on new media and electronic rights. The narrative text covers copyright law, censorship, moral rights, sales, taxation, estate planning, museums, and grants.


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