Museums

The New York Times had a special section today on museums which includes some legal issues:

• A story on Derek Gillman, the new head of the Barnes Foundation, includes the following: "The gallery’s relocation to a new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, allowed by a December 2004 court decision that overruled the collector’s express mandate on the ground of financial exigency, remains controversial. The move, which is scheduled for late 2009 or 2010, is opposed by a coalition that includes Merion residents, Barnes students and alumni and suburban legislators. Many art critics have also condemned it. Still, 'you have to assume the move is a fait accompli at this point,' said Stephen K. Urice, an associate professor of law at the University of Miami."
• A story on the rise of "personal museums" -- "created by a single vision and a single fortune" -- includes the following from Susan Frunzi of Schulte Roth & Zabel: "Some people ask if they can keep the paintings on their living room wall and get the [income tax] deduction, or in a separate building on their personal property. In the former case it is not possible, and in the latter case, it is possible if structured correctly."
• And finally, a nice story about Herrick, Feinstein's Lawrence Kaye and Howard Spiegler and their tremendous work in the area of art restitution.