Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

Justice Lowy gives go-ahead for Berkshire Museum art sale

The Supreme Judicial Court approved the settlement reached between the Berkshire Museum and Attorney General Healey’s office in early March this year. The museum can now sell up to $55 million of the museum’s art at an auction scheduled for May.

“Based on the Attorney General’s investigation into the sale and her assent to the requested relief, the Museum has satisfied its burden of establishing that it has become impossible or impracticable to administer the Museum strictly in accordance with its charitable purpose,” Lowy wrote, “thus entitling the Museum to relief.” ~Berkshire Eagle, April 5, 2018

Announcement of the decision came as a significant disappointment to those wishing to preserve the museum’s collection. Although Healey’s office will supervise the sale, opponents were dismayed that Judge Lowy didn’t appoint an independent financial monitor. Continue reading “Justice Lowy gives go-ahead for Berkshire Museum art sale” →

Boston: Pack the Courtroom Tuesday for Friends of Berkshire Museum / Save the Art!

A definitive hearing will take place at noon, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, before Associate Justice David A. Lowy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, who will either allow the Berkshire Museum’s liquidation sale, or call for an investigation and ruling by a higher court. Oral arguments will be heard, taking approximately 40 minutes.

As reported by The Berkshire Eagle, attorneys representing Berkshire County residents and several other “friend of the court” briefs will speak before Justice Lowy, as will attorneys representing the museum and Maura Healey’s AG office.

Tuesday, March 20. 2018
Courtroom 2
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston

Save the Art – Save the Museum

Join a sea of supporters on Tuesday wearing “Save the Art” buttons and receive one yourself. Support “Save the Art – Save the Museum” and pack the courtroom. Continue reading “Boston: Pack the Courtroom Tuesday for Friends of Berkshire Museum / Save the Art!” →

Update on the Berkshire Museum

Late Friday night it was announced that an agreement was reached by the Attorney General and the Berkshire Museum.  The agreement is still waiting to be approved by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.

Under the proposed deal, a U.S museum will purchase Rockwell’s “Shuffleton’s Barbershop” painting and it will be shown at the Rockwell Museum for 18 to 24 months. The Berkshire museum will be allowed to sell off its collection in several stages and must stop selling works when the total sales reach $55 million. Continue reading “Update on the Berkshire Museum” →

AG Healey reaffirms opposition to Berkshire Museum Art Sale

The Berkshire Eagle reported on Jan. 4, 2018, that Attorney General Healey filed a 32-page legal brief on January 3, 2018, in response to arguments by the museum’s attorneys, adding further rebuke to the museum’s plans to sell 40 valuable works from its collection.

The state’s brief makes plain the Attorney General’s Office believes museum trustees would commit a hat trick of legal errors if they carry through with the controversial art sale they announced July 12 — which has drawn international attention and remains snarled in litigation.

The state’s argument includes citations from legal cases dating to 1850 and even further back, to before American independence. Even in Colonial America, the brief says, attorneys general played a role in overseeing charitable trusts “from the application of the [English] Crown’s powers.” ~ Berkshire Eagle, Jan. 4, 2018, “Attorney General’s report reasserts opposition to Berkshire Museum art sale“

Continue reading “AG Healey reaffirms opposition to Berkshire Museum Art Sale” →