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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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 ship or transport a work
What to check when moving a work within Spain, to another European Union country or outside it: cultural permits, customs, ATA carnet, insurance and packing.
Verified on 10 October 2026
- conservation
- export
- loans
Read the guide:Read the guide
What to do if a work is damaged
What to do after a fall, a knock, a leak, a fire or any accident that damages a work: safety, documentation, conservation and insurance.
Verified on 10 October 2026
- conservation
- documentation
- insurance
Read the guide:Read the guide
How to write an understandable label
What information a label must include, in what order, and how to write and design a short text that can be understood in front of the work.
Reviewed on 10 October 2026
- accessibility
- curation
- writing
Read the guide:Read the guide
How to request a licence and a quote from VEGAP
If the author of a work is in VEGAP’s repertoire, that is where you ask for permission to reproduce it. What information to prepare, how to read the quote and what to do if there is no agreement.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- copyright
- cultural policy
- cultural work
Read the guide:Read the guide
How to read an image licence and credit it
A museum offering an image for download does not mean you can use it for anything. How to read the rights statement of each file and how to credit it properly.
Reviewed on 1 October 2026
- copyright
- artwork documentation
- research
Read the guide:Read the guide
Commissioning an artwork
Commissioning an artwork, or accepting a commission, works best with a written agreement. What it should say about the work, deadlines, price, changes and rights.
Verified on 1 October 2026
- art collecting
- copyright
- artwork documentation
Read the guide:Read the guide
How OBJKT works: publishing, buying and preserving digital art on Tezos
What happens when a work is tokenised on OBJKT, what the buyer receives, how editions and royalties work and what you need to keep outside the platform.
Reviewed on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- digital infrastructure
- art market
Read the guide:Read the guide
Authorship and works made with AI under Spanish law
What Spanish law says about the authorship of works made with AI, where the line of human contribution lies and what to document in practice.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- generative AI
- ontology of art
Read the guide:Read the guide
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.