Art and Law Newsletter: New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art under fire for allegedly misleading admissions policy

The Met, located in New York's famous Central Park, is facing legal action for the second time in only 4 months over its admission fee policy. The museum and the city have an agreement which allows the museum to occupy city-owned land rent free, provided the public may enter free of charge several days during the week. Visitors are greeted with signs reading "Admissions Recommended," which some argue are intentionally misleading and which suggest that an entry fee is required. Cases were filed in November of last year and again this spring, alleging that this signage violates the Met's agreement with the city. In a statement by the museum's Director and CEO, the Met denies the ambiguity of the signs and states that this "recommended admissions" policy was actually agreed to by the City of New York. It remains to be seen whether the signs will have to be removed or reworded.

The Blog does not create an attorney client relationship. LaSusa & Deb, PLLC is a law firm and the contents of this blog may contain legal information, but such information does not create a relationship between the reader and LaSusa & Deb, PLLC or any of its attorneys. Information herein is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up-to-date nor does it reflect the opinions of LaSusa & Deb, PLLC. Please read full disclosure at the bottom of the page.  

Art and Law Newsletter: Kansas City Art Institute pursuing promised donation

     In 2005 Larry and Kristina Dodge pledged $5 million to the Kansas City Art Institute for the construction of a new building which would bear their name. The Dodge Painting Building now stands on the KCAI campus, despite the fact that the Dodges only paid $1 million of the promised amount. The school hired an attorney and initiated litigation in order to compel the donors to pay the outstanding amount, which resulted in a $3.3 million judgment against the family. Mr. Dodge, a former banker once worth an estimated $1 billion, has lost his fortune and declared bankruptcy, partially, he claims, due to the lawsuit.  Mrs. Dodge now fears she will have to file for bankruptcy as well if the school continues to pursue the matter.  

     The Art Institute maintains that the Dodges are under a contractual obligation pay the amount pledged.  In fact the Institute argues that as a nonprofit organization it is under strict accounting guidelines, under which it has already reported the pledged donation.  Failure to collect the full amount may result in an accounting deficit, which could negatively impact future donations.  

The Blog does not create an attorney client relationship. LaSusa & Deb, PLLC is a law firm and the contents of this blog may contain legal information, but such information does not create a relationship between the reader and LaSusa & Deb, PLLC or any of its attorneys. Information herein is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up-to-date nor does it reflect the opinions of LaSusa & Deb, PLLC. Please read full disclosure at the bottom of the page.