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

The U.S. Visual Arts Rights Act (VARA) is a federal law that grants certain rights to visual works of art, such as paintings, murals, statues, and sculptures. Under this law, an artist or artist’s estate has the right to prevent any modifications, distortions, or mutilations of their original artwork. This right is distinct from copyright, which provides exclusive rights to the creator of the original work. In South Carolina, VARA applies to visual artwork created after June 1, 1991, and the rights granted to the artist or their estate last for the life of the artist plus 70 years. The purpose of this law is to protect the original, unique artistic expression of an artist. Specifically, VARA seeks to ensure that an artist’s artwork remains in its original form and does not become dissociated from the artist’s vision. This can help to preserve and protect the value of artwork, which can often be diminished or completely lost if modifications are made without the artist’s consent. Overall, VARA helps to protect the rights of artists in South Carolina and across the country by ensuring that their artwork is set apart from the rest and is respected. This law can help to prevent the artistic works of creators from being distorted or modified without their permission and to safeguard the art form in its original form.

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

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