The guides are practical texts for anyone who works with art: how to document an artwork, what to review before signing with a gallery, when an artwork ceases to be protected. They differ from the articles in the Public Notebook in their function. The Notebook analyses and interprets; the guides explain how to do something and which rules, data or documents each step relies on. That is why they are updated when what underpins them changes, and each one shows the date it was last checked.
Verified means that on that date I checked every fact, rule and link against its primary source. Reviewed means that I re-read and updated the text without repeating that full check. When only Updated appears, the date corresponds to the last edit.
The guides offer general information. They do not constitute individualised legal, tax or professional advice: for a specific case, consult a qualified professional.
Total: 145
Featured resource
Master artwork record
An open-format template for keeping a consistent inventory of your work from the studio onwards. The ODS workbook brings together four sheets: master record, restricted data, gallery deposit and key. It includes validations, filters, frozen headers and an example row.
The gallery deposit sheet fills in the title automatically from the inventory number. It is a record of the works delivered, not a contract. Terms of custody, insurance, sale, commission and return must be agreed separately.
The restricted data sheet contains personal, financial and location information. It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.
The ODS is the main resource. The CSV files let you import the master record, the restricted data and the gallery deposit record separately.
The guides are currently searched and indexed in Spanish.
28 guides
If the platform closes: how to preserve your webcomic and your readers
Tapas cerrará el 31 de marzo de 2027. La plataforma no ofrece una exportación completa para autores. Esta guía ordena archivos, metadatos, contratos y comunicación con lectores antes de migrar.
Updated on 8 November 2026
- digital infrastructure
- cultural work
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Preparing an application for a public cultural grant
Reading the rules carefully is the first step. The second is turning them into an application that can be assessed: a project description, timeline, budget and annexes that answer each criterion.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- research
- cultural policy
- cultural work
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How to budget for a small exhibition
No single figure suits every exhibition, but almost all of them overlook the same items. A method for budgeting a small show without leaving anything out.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- artwork documentation
- cultural policy
- cultural work
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How to work with a gallery: consignment, purchase and representation
Qué resolver por escrito al trabajar con una galería: entrega para venta, compra directa, exposición, representación, precio, liquidación, exclusiva, seguro, salida y qué hacer si la galería entra en concurso.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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How to read the rules of an open call
An order for reading the rules of awards, grants and residencies, and the clauses on rights, costs, insurance and return worth checking twice.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- cultural work
- institutional validation
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How to invoice the sale of artwork in Spain: VAT and withholding tax
Which VAT applies when selling art in Spain, when personal income tax is withheld, what changes if a gallery is involved and what the invoice must include.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- art market
- cultural work
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Resale right: what an artist receives when their work is resold
When an artist is paid for the resale of their work in Spain, how it is calculated in bands, who pays and why this right cannot be waived.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- art market
- cultural work
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Bluesky, mu and AT Protocol for artists: your own domain, verification and portability
A practical guide to AT Protocol for artists: your domain as your handle, what each verification certifies, what the European app mu offers and how far portability goes.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- digital infrastructure
- recognition
- cultural work
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Justifying a cultural grant
How to justify a cultural grant: standard and simplified reporting, eligible expenditure, payments, deadlines and repayment.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural policy
- cultural work
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How to write an artist statement
How to write a short and long version of an artist statement, including structure, annotated examples and the errors that cause readers to stop.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural work
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Corrections and contributions
If you find an error, outdated information or a better source, please write to me via the contact page. I correct confirmed errors and update the date of the affected guide.