What is the U.S. Visual Arts Rights Act?

The United States Visual Arts Rights Act (VARA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1990 to protect the visual rights of creators of artwork. The law provides certain rights for artists who create works of visual art, including the right to attribution, the right to prevent destruction, and the right to prevent distortion or modification of a work. The law is relevant to all works of visual art created after the law was passed in 1990 and applies to all states, including Kansas. VARA gives the artist the right to be credited with authorship of the work, as well as the right to prevent the work from being altered, mutilated, or destroyed. These rights are known as “moral rights” and are separate from the copyright protections that artists may also have. In essence, VARA provides protection for the artist’s reputation by ensuring that they can take ownership and claim authorship of their artwork. This is important for artists to ensure that they receive appropriate payment and recognition for their work. VARA applies to works of visual art, which includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, photographs, and mixed media works. It does not apply to sound recordings or motion pictures. Additionally, VARA applies to works of visual art that are part of a larger work of art, such as a wall mural or an installation. VARA is an important law for artists to be aware of in Kansas and the rest of the United States. It provides an additional layer of protection for artists’ artwork and ensures that their work is protected from alteration or destruction.

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