Product 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49063 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
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 -- Timothy S. Kelley, Director of Legal Services, Lawyers for the Creative Arts

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 -- Jay Maisel, photographer

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 -- Arnold Roth, cartoonist

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

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 -- George Koch, President, National Artists Equity Association

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 -- Alma Robinson, Executive Director, California Lawyers for the 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 -- Richard Gref, Executive Director, American Institute of Graphic Arts

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 -- Paul Basista, Executive Director, Graphic Artists Guild

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.

Customer Reviews

Legal Guide for the Visual Artist
This is the "Bible" of legal forms and information. Used early 1989 edition quite a bit. Will use this up-dated edition even more.

Must have for artists!
It's not always the most entertaining book to read (who enjoys reading about taxes?), but read through it once. Stick it on your shelf. And then whenever you need it, the book can reference you to certain government documents such as release forms, copyright forms, tax forms, consignment forms, authenticity forms, etc. There's tons of forms in the book for you to work off of when you are writing up your own agreements. Also current on laws for artists. Always keep a current edition of this book handy.

Tad Crawford Does It Again
Tad Crawford does his as-usual excellent job clarifying a complex area for the working visual artist. Readers will admire his straightforward writing style and many, many practical examples.

A word of warning, though: as Tad himself says, he is not providing legal advice and, while the artist will thank Tad if he or she follows Tad's advice, it does not substitute for appropriate legal consults as needed.