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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
58 guides
How to care for an art collection at home
The light tolerance of a work, managing humidity, how to hang and store, and what to avoid when cleaning a painting or a work on paper.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- art collecting
- cultural heritage
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How to read a condition report for a work of art
Vocabulary for a condition report, an annotated example, and the indicators that necessitate a second opinion before purchasing, lending, or insuring a work of art.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- art collecting
- artwork documentation
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How to sell a work from your collection
Gallery, auction, direct sale, or platform: how to sell a collection piece, what documents will be requested, and how the gain is taxed.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- art collecting
- art market
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How much tax relief applies to donations to a cultural foundation following the patronage reform
Deductions for donating to a cultural foundation from 2024: 80% of the first 250 euros, 40% or 45% of the remainder, certificate and form 182.
Reviewed on 7 November 2026
- cultural policy
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What Royal Decree 707/2026 requires of museums and cultural centres
From 2 January 2027, public museums and cultural centres included in Royal Decree 707/2026 must provide easy-to-read formats, text alternatives, and comprehensible signage. What…
Reviewed on 3 November 2026
- accessibility
- regulations
- cultural policy
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What to retain as a master file for a digital work and how to name its versions
How to distinguish the master from exhibition copies, derivatives, and documentation of a digital work, what to include within it, in which formats to store it, how many copies to maintain, and…
Verified on 30 October 2026
- digital art
- conservation
- artwork documentation
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How to exhibit or publish works by children and adolescents: authorship, consent and data
A child may be the author of their work. It is a separate matter to determine who may authorise its exhibition, publication, or sale.
Reviewed on 17 October 2026
- rights
- minors
- data protection
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Valuing a work of art for insurance, inheritance or donation
Una misma obra puede tener valores distintos según la finalidad. Quién puede tasarla, qué debe contener el informe y qué cambia entre seguro, herencia y donación.
Reviewed on 20 October 2026
- collections
- taxation
- art market
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What to do if your digital artwork is on a platform that is closing
How to act in the event of a platform closure: exporting work and metadata, verifying dependencies, preserving evidence and migrating without promising non-existent portability.
Verified on 12 October 2026
- digital art
- conservation
- digital infrastructure
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Easy Read, plain language, simple language and pictograms: what each one is
Easy Read, plain language and simple language are not synonyms, and a pictogram does not make a text accessible. What each tool is and when to use it in an exhibition.
Reviewed on 10 October 2026
- accessibility
- writing
- regulations
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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.