Overview

The Art & Law Program is a seminar-colloquium focusing on the study of visual culture and law, with a particular emphasis on how the discourses and practices of law and visual culture impact each other, self-governance, history, and culture. At its core, the Program focuses on providing fellows with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Program consists of a nonpartisan community that aims to attract individuals in the creative areas of visual art, architecture, criticism, music, art history, writing, curating, and film. This list is non-exclusive. Artists with non-traditional cultural practices are especially encouraged to apply, as are cultural producers interested in the cultural effects of law.

Pedagogical Philosophy

The Art & Law Program places a particular emphasis on the understanding of legal cases, texts and materials through a Socratic method of interpretation. Through a close analysis of legal texts, legal structures, and legal modes of thought, the Program aims to analyze current artistic, curatorial, theoretical and art historical practices and discourses. Conversely, the use of law and jurisprudence as theory, practice and medium is explored.

The study of art and law includes territoriality and space, legal structures and systems, law as medium, crime, outlaw structures, culture and justice, freedom of expression, tangible and intangible property, language and contracts, authority and authorship, markets and transactions, systems of value, morality and law, corporate entities, sovereignty, and international law.

The Program is influenced by five main discourses and practices: visual art, law, percussion, philosophy, and the martial arts. With this in mind, please note that the Program does not focus on traditional and conventional theories and ideologies (e.g., Marxism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, psychoanalysis, identity politics, etc.), but rather investigates how the philosophy and practice of law disturbs the “critical” theory establishment and creates a new space and discourse for aesthetic, cultural and intellectual practices.

In addition, as of June 2021, the Program will also address the life and practice of an artist whose work does not necessarily deal with the law. It is my belief that a healthy understanding of the law and other regulatory systems and mechanisms is nurtured by practices of art that, by engaging the creative impetus, critique and therefore negate staid artistic and cultural practices.

Applicants and admitted fellows shall take note that the Program is fully committed to freedom of expression.

Origins

The Art & Law Program, the first of its kind, was founded in 2010 by Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento.

Funding

The Art & Law Program is privately owned and funded by Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, and is also funded through the aid of private donations and participation fees. The Program is not a foundation, is not registered as a 501(c)(3) under the US Internal Revenue Code and does not receive governmental assistance.