ArtShare
A new Facebook application, ArtShare, allows Facebook users to play curator and select artworks for rotating display on their profile page. Once displayed, a visitor who clicks an image will be directed to the website of the originating museum. Participating institutions include Walker Art Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Brooklyn Art Museum.
Unfortunately, and perhaps predictably, there's only a handful of contemporary images available. Presumably, this is due to the costs of copyright administration. As many of you know, copyright doesn't transfer with the sale or gift of an artwork absent an express agreement to the contrary. So a museum's rights to reproduce even works in its own collection may be limited. This is especially probable where works were donated by a third-party donor, who never sought copyright from the artist. Getting all those permissions can be a daunting task for any institution, and especially for a non-profit. Practice pointer for would-be collectors: negotiate any copyrights or licenses you may need at the time of purchase, where your negotiating leverage is at its height, and when so doing, think about possible future needs. And get an express license (or assignment) in writing.
Happily for Facebook users, however, some institutions, such as Walker Art Center, have bucked the trend and included some great contemporary images including gorgeous pieces by Ellsworth Kelly and Mario Merz. Very cool. To check out ArtShare go here.
