Estate Planning for Artists: Art Law Mixer

Every artist, famous or not, should have an estate plan (just in case); after all, famous or not, we are all mortal. All too often, public appreciation (in more than one sense) of artists’ work increases upon their death.

This year, the Center for Art Law joins forces with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts to bring you a panel of experts to address the fundamentals of estate planning for artists.*

In recent years, artists’ estates and foundations have gained latitude in the news wires, often due to their entanglements with the law—the issue of paying the Rauschenberg Foundation’s trustees and the recent copyright claims launched by the Warhol Estate are just two examples. From appraisal and authenticity to fiduciaries and foundations, the legal issues involved in preserving an artist’s legacy span the gamut.

Preceded by our signature wine and cheese reception, a group of experts will discuss important issues involved in creating an estate plan. They will explain the benefits of wills and trusts, the importance of record-keeping, the more nuanced issues of art appraisal and taxation, and considerations in establishing a foundation. They will offer insight on how to retain and manage tangible and intangible assets and increase revenue through licensing.

The evening is designed to provide a useful overview for emerging and established artists who are interested in preserving their legacies in a way that aligns with their values. If you haven’t considered your options before, this is a good starting point; if you are in the midst of the process of estate planning, this may offer helpful guidance. As you approach your final resting place, what will you do to ensure your art lives on?

When
Thursday, June 8, 2017, 6 – 8 pm

Where
VLA Auditorium
1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022

*Please note VLA is only co-hosting this event. For more information, please contact Center for Art Law here.

About the Speakers:

Amy F. Altman, Esq., is a senior associate at Meltzer Lippe in their Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She focuses on estate litigation matters such as probate contests, discovery proceedings, and accounting proceedings. Amy is a contributor to Trusts & Estates Magazine, Law.com, the New York Law Journal and the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Newsletter. She has presented to the New York State Bar Association on topics including Lifetime Gifting and Special and Alternative Forms of Letters in Surrogate’s Court.

Peter V. Arcese, Esq. is an attorney concentrating in estate planning and mediation for the transfer of wealth. He helps authors and artists secure the future of their rights, reputation, market, and legacy. He holds an LL.M in Taxation from the New York University School of Law, and is an award-winning adjunct assistant professor of Humanities at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Peter is a member of the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section Mediation Committee and served as co-chair from 2011-2015. He is a member of Stropheus Art Law, a col­lec­tive of art lawyers and busi­ness spe­cial­ists.

Barbara T. Hoffman, Esq., principal at The Hoffman Law Firm, is a preeminent arts, cultural heritage and cultural institution lawyer in New York City. With over 35 years of experience in the field of art law, she is an expert in matters involving art, antiques, and cultural property transactions. In her practice, she counsels on complex copyright and licensing issues in traditional and new media. Through her writing, advocacy, and client representation, she continues to define the law as it applies to new information technologies and the art world.

Betsy Dale, Esq., our host for the evening, is the staff attorney at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) where she advises clients on a range of issues including disputes, contracts, and intellectual property matters. She is an active member of the Copyright Society and an affiliate member of the NYCBA’s Art Law Committee.

To get you thinking about estate planning, here are some primers:

• Judge Awards Three Pals of Robert Rauschenberg $25 Million
• As Top-Tier Artists Age, the Art World Hopes to Cash In