Our Mission
Cultural Heritage & Art
The CALI pursues the non-profit purpose of promoting advice, research and teaching on the legal issues involved in the world of art. These legal issues include the protection of cultural property at all levels of the legal structure including the domestic, Indian law and both international as well as transnational legal concerns, the protection of international loans between museums, the restitution of works of art stolen in the colonial era, archaeological finds and cultural assets that were taken out of the country, trade fair and auction law, tax, foundation and insurance law, as well as export and criminal law in connection with the (international) trade of works of art and also copyright, ancillary copyrights, media law.
Conferences & Teaching
In addition to a wide range of lectures, seminars, and symposia, CALI organizes the Annual Conference on Art and Law once a year in cooperation with other institutions. In response to today's growing need to almost always engage with cross-border issues, there is a need for an international network: collaboration with the German Institute of Art and Law IFKUR and with renowned colleagues all over the world. In addition to the conferences, CALI offers and promotes individual lectures, webinars and meetings on focus issues.
Advisory & Network
Advice and support in art and cultural property law are a major component of our work. This also includes the formation of a network of experts from all fields; from the legal to the museum sector, from the art market and galleries and to various groups and individual artists. In addition to these areas, there is material research, provenance research and close cooperation with experts and foundations.
guides for artists & private museums
The Artist's Legal Compass
In the art world, a handshake deal or a gentleman’s deal (if you ignore the sexism) often masks complex risks regarding who for example, truly owns a digital image, who pays if a sculpture breaks in transit, or when exactly do you get paid after a sale. Law provides the formal language to set boundaries, ensuring that galleries and buyers treat your work with the same respect you do. By knowing your rights, you ensure that your creation remains exactly that: yours.
8 Pointers for a Private Museum
Stewardship of a private museum in India is a profound act of cultural preservation that requires a sturdy foundation. For a private institution, regulatory mindfulness is the bridge between personal passion and a public landmark. Navigating antiquity registrations, specialised insurance, and building compliance can be tricky. By honouring these standards, you transform a collection into a sanctuary, ensuring safety, solvency, and celebration for generations.
Legal Foundation for Artist-Gallery Relationship
The relationship between an artist and a gallery is the heartbeat of the art market, yet it is often left to the ambiguity of a handshake. In an industry fueled by passion, professional alignment is the only safeguard for creative longevity. Understanding each other’s expectations prevents the friction that stifles the creative process. This blueprint is designed to transform "gentleman's agreements" into a professional framework.
Art & Law News
Mauritshuis Wins Rembrandt Dispute
When the dead leave their treasures to the living, they often attempt to script the future from beyond the grave, binding institutions to conditions that can last for centuries. This balance between the intent of an art donor and the operational freedom of modern cultural spaces has yet again been thrust into the spotlight following a landmark ruling by the district court in The Hague. The legal battle centered on a spectacular collection of twenty-five…
The Colorado Artist Company Act: A Blueprint for Corporate Creative Governance?
The enactment of the Colorado Artist Company Act marks a shift in the intersection of corporate law and intellectual property law. Historically, companies have prioritised shareholder wealth maximisation, leaving creative professionals vulnerable during equity financing and corporate dissolution. This legislation introduces a distinct corporate form, the Artist Corporation, which mandates permanent creator majorities and safeguards moral and economic rights. This blog evaluates the mechanism of the Colorado statute, contextualises the historical imbalances in creative contract…
The Agreement and the Troubled Provenance of the Jain Manuscripts of the Wellcome Collection
The Return of the Sacred? In a historic moment for cultural heritage management, the Wellcome Collection in London announced a commitment to return over 2,000 rare Jain manuscripts to the global Jain community. Believed to be the largest collection of Jain manuscripts held outside South Asia, the texts span four centuries, from the 15th to the 19th century. Written in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and early Hindi scripts, the archive covers a vast expanse of…