The program comprises the following modules:

I. Introduction to the world of art law 

This introductory module is designed to provide students with the essential tools needed to understand the foundations of Art Law. It offers a comprehensive overview of the relationship between art and the legal systems of several key jurisdictions, including Italy, the United States and France. Students are first introduced to the basic legal concepts governing the art sector and then guided through the initial contours of the regulation of art within public and private international law, as well as within the EU legal framework. The module is conceived to equip participants from diverse legal backgrounds and jurisdictions with the fundamental knowledge required to successfully approach and engage with the advanced modules of the Master.

II. The Artwork and its Protection
Module II provides a historical introduction to the art market and to the main legal aspects related to the sector. Module II tackles also rules governing intellectual property rights, from copyright protection to norms concerning artist’s rights, authenticity and reproductions of a work of art. The last part of this module is aimed at presenting the main players operating in the art market.

III. The Circulation of Artworks

Module III is dedicated to the legal concerns related to the circulation of artworks. The module takes into consideration different ways of circulation of artistic assets, from purchase to donations, with a specific focus on private sales and auction houses. It will also provide an overview on the new forms of art resulting from recent technologies and involving the new digital market.

IV. Art Trade and the Commercial Exploitation of Artworks

Module IV is dedicated to the trade of cultural goods, with a specific focus on the illegal trade and its legal consequences. The problem of the illegal trade will be analyzed more in detail. In addition, students will become familiar with anti-money laundering rules and taxation problems.

V. Exhibition and Collecting

Module V provides an all-encompassing overview of the legal issues related to collecting artworks and organizing art exhibitions. Particular attention will be paid to key aspects such as the regulation of the relationships between artists, collectors and museums, artwork loan agreements as well as problems concerning the transportation of artworks and the insurance policies applicable to the variety of actors involved. In addition, students will focus on the legal regime governing foundations and private museums, also through the analysis of the applicable organizational models which have proven to be the most successful ones.

VI. Protection of artwork in international and eu law 

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the rules governing the circulation and protection of artworks both at the international and European level. Students will examine the main international treaties and conventions—many adopted under the auspices of UNESCO—that regulate the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in times of peace and in wartime, reflecting the rapid expansion of the global art market and the growing international concern for safeguarding cultural property. Building on this foundation, the module further explores the supranational regulatory framework of the European Union, with a focus on policies and rules governing the import and export of artworks, public procurement in the cultural heritage sector, and the obligations arising for the parties involved in cultural property transactions. Case studies and practical examples will support students in critically assessing how these international and EU regimes are implemented in practice.

VII. Dispute and Settlement Systems

Module VII analyses the civil and penal dispute issues pertaining to market of art work. In addition, lectures of this last module will dwell on the means available, besides litigation, for settling disputes which may arise in the art sector. Particular attention will therefore be devoted to arbitration and other systems of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), forum shopping and preferred jurisdiction arising from European and international case law.