AEFI Welcomes Artists Rights Society
As New Lead Underwriter
Washington DC, January 31 2020 – The Aspen Institute Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative/AEFI, recognized globally for its pioneering programs committed to advancing private foundations endowed by visual artists, is pleased to announce the appointment of Artists Rights Society (ARS), the premiere copyright steward for thousands of visual artists worldwide, as a member of the select group of prestigious firms with which it partners as AEFI Lead Underwriters.
AEFI Lead Underwriters provide core support to sustain AEFI and share their intellectual capital by collaborating in the development and dissemination of educational information and resources to assist the artist-endowed foundation field. Said Christine J. Vincent, AEFI Project Director, “Underwriters of the Aspen Institute’s work with artist-endowed foundations represent some of the foremost firms providing services to the arts and philanthropy. We are proud to count them as partners and delighted to welcome Artists Rights Society to this distinguished group.”
According to ARS President Theodore Feder, the firm’s 30-plus years of experience combined with the collective influence of its 122,000 members provides powerful leverage to protect artists’ intellectual property and mobilize its cultural and economic potential in the U.S. and globally. “Artists’ control of their rights is under threat and ARS diligently ensures the integrity of their images. But we don’t just protect. ARS facilitates visibility of artists’ works across a wide array of print and new media platforms central to today’s image-intensive culture and we create exciting licensing collaborations that bring artists’ works to new audiences.”
Said ARS Vice President Janet Hicks, “ARS is proud of its service to artists, their families, and foundations. The ARS legal team has resolved countless infringements of artists’ rights. Our licensing staff draws on experience executing tens of thousands of permissions, from consumer products to advertising campaigns and editorial uses, to ensure that artists’ rights are fairly compensated. And we continue to lobby for effective artists’ rights laws in the U.S., particularly institution of the resale royalty.”
In addition to Artists Rights Society, AEFI Lead Underwriters include: DeWitt Stern | A Risk Strategies Company and UOVO.
For more information on ARS, see www.arsny.com and to explore AEFI’s programs and resources, see www.aspeninstitute.org/aef.
