In our first full-length episode, we discuss the Berkshire Museum’s controversial decision to sell off 40 works of iconic art from its permanent collection to raise funds to rebrand itself as a science and natural history museum, and build a large endowment.  Only after the regional museum had signed an agreement with Sotheby’s auction house to deaccession these works, did the museum announce its plans to the public.  Museum and cultural groups, the fine arts community, and certain local constituents have passionately opposed these plans.  Other stakeholders and commentators have strongly supported the museum’s efforts to monetize its collection and rebrand.  We will discuss both the ethical and legal issues around deaccessioning and the Berkshire Museum’s actions in particular.  We are joined by the financial and art-market journalist, Felix Salmon. More information on the Berkshire Museum and deaccessioning: From Felix Salmon: http://www.felixsalmon.com/ https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-lost-masterpieces-of-norman-rockwell-country https://hyperallergic.com/409126/berkshire-museum-battle-sothebys-auction/ More perspectives: https://berkshiremuseum.org/newvision/ https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/26/change-die-choice-clear-for-berkshire-museum/zLEFaUrZiXfJRNlhaVeb1K/story.html https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/01/27/the-berkshire-museum-defends-its-most-important-asset-its-open-doors/M92tisiPanIT93ZHXKysCP/story.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/arts/design/berkshire-museum-art-auction-criticized.html http://www.artnews.com/2017/07/25/museum-alliance-and-directors-group-issue-open-letter-criticizing-berkshire-museums-deaccession-plan/ Litigation status and some papers: http://www.artnews.com/2018/02/05/berkshire-museum-case-heads-massachusetts-supreme-court/ http://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/big-reveal-from-ag-due-monday-on-berkshire-museum,531233 https://www.scribd.com/document/362156288/Complaint-in-Berkshire-Museum-Case http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wfcr/files/verified_complaint_b2211761_.pdf?_ga=2.41888810.982465672.1508763064-1725306865.1506095323 https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/878449/Motion%20for%20Injunction%20Pending%20Appeal(B2218262).pdf?t=1518034885672 More about deaccessioning: https://www.aamd.org/sites/default/files/document/PositionPaperDeaccessioning%2011.07.pdf https://www.npr.org/2014/08/11/339532879/as-museums-try-to-make-ends-meet-deaccession-is-the-art-worlds-dirty-word http://www.philly.com/philly/education/la-salle-museum-plans-sale-of-prized-artwork-masterpieces-20180103.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/arts/design/censured-delaware-art-museum-plans-to-divest-more-works.html http://legacy.wbur.org/2011/10/28/rose-art-museum http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/arts/design/28fink.html Episode Transcription: Steven Schindler: Hi, I’m Steven Schindler. Katie Wilson-Milne: I’m Katie Wilson-Milne. Steven Schindler: Welcome to the Art Law of Podcast, a monthly podcast exploring the places where art intersects with and interferes with the law. Katie Wilson-Milne: And vice-versa. The Art Law Podcast is sponsored by the law firm Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP, a premier litigation and art law boutique New York City. Felix Salmon: There’s this very vivid and high-stakes debate, which people care about very much about the deaccessioning and like 99% of the planet has no idea it really exists. But, the people who care about it, care about it very much. They basically said, look at this, there is a bunch of billionaires out there in the world who are willing to pay millions and millions of dollars for the art in our little museum, and we don’t have very much money and we can raise like $50 million just by selling off all of our art. And then, honestly we would rather have $50 million then the bunch of dusty old paintings, this art is worth more to those billionaires who we don’t even know who they are, then it is to us. And,