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 It must not be published, nor shared together with the general record.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.
145 guides
Artificial intelligence and copyright in Europe: what has been decided in 2026
What the 2019 Directive, the AI Act and the European courts say about training AI on protected works, and what remains unresolved.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- generative AI
- digital infrastructure
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Primary source or back cover: how to tell what you are citing
A four-level method for knowing whether you are citing the text, a catalogue record or a back cover before resting an argument on it.
Reviewed 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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Structural surplus, explained
What structural surplus is, the relational criterion I propose for distinguishing art, explained without the technical apparatus of the articles.
Reviewed on 27 September 2026
- ontology of art
- recognition
- aesthetic subjectivity
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When a work enters the public domain in Spain
How to work out when a work enters the public domain in Spain, what happens with photographs, anonymous and unpublished works, and what still limits their use.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- 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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Asset of Cultural Interest and export bans: how Spain protects its heritage
What distinguishes the refusal of an export permit, precautionary non-exportability and declaration as an Asset of Cultural Interest, and what obligations the owner takes on.
Verified on 27 September 2026
- art collecting
- art market
- recognition
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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 lend a digital or technology-based artwork for an exhibition
Qué debe acordarse al prestar una obra digital o tecnológica: archivos, equipos, instalación, red, mantenimiento, seguro, borrado y devolución.
Verified on 18 October 2026
- digital art
- conservation
- artwork documentation
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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.