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
Introducing The CALI Magazine – Art & Law | Vol. 1, 2026
Where Art Meets Law, Culture Meets Policy, and Creativity Meets Legal ProtectionThe Council for Art and Law Initiatives (CALI) is pleased to present the inaugural issue of The CALI Magazine – Art & Law, Vol. 1, 2026—a publication exploring the increasingly important intersection of art, law, culture, heritage, and intellectual property.Art and law may appear to belong to different worlds, but today they are closely connected. Questions surrounding authenticity, copyright, cultural heritage, artistic freedom, ownership,…
Fragile Foundations: Inheritance Disputes and the Vulnerability of Institutional Loans
-Sahibnoor Singh Sidhu Public museums have for a very long time relied on long-term loans from private collectors. However, these forms often are susceptible to subsequent changes and therefore introduce a structural risk to the curation. It is not uncommon to enter a large world-class museum and see a number of family names right next to the most prestigious masterpieces. This is simply because these major private holdings have been integrated as permanent displays at…
The Illusion of Provenance: Inside the Collapse of the Museum Acquisition Model
-Sahibnoor Singh Sidhu When investigators from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art to execute a series of seizure warrants, the action signaled a structural shift in the administration of cultural heritage. The items detailed in the warrants included a marble head from the first-century Roman period, a bronze statuette dating back two millennia, and an ancient Egyptian gold diadem adorned with ram heads. These objects were being collected as evidence…