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Artists, arts groups urge committee to bar contract clauses that force VARA waivers for state-funded work
Summary
Artists and cultural groups told the House Appropriations Committee that state-funded public art projects should not require artists to waive rights under the federal Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) or copyright as a condition of award; sponsor said amendment would allow post-award negotiation without conditioning the award.
Delegate Elizabeth Embry (sponsor panel) presented House Bill 961, which would prohibit state-funded commissions from conditioning an award on the artist's prior waiver of rights under the federal Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) or copyright. Embry said the proposal aims to preserve artists' moral‑rights protections and to protect public investment in works funded by taxpayers.
Public artists and arts advocates testified…
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