Court filings and lawsuits have become one of the most consistent sources of real news in the art world. They show how museums, galleries and artists operate when money, rights and reputations are at stake and can reveal much more about art world disputes than the public would normally see.

This database is Urgent Matter’s ongoing record of art-world litigation. While it is not exhaustive, it gathers all lawsuits we have covered and verified through court filings and docket entries.

Each entry below includes the basic facts: who filed the case, where, when, and why, as well as a link to our most recent coverage on any particular case. Updates are added as the cases move through the courts, and entries are retained even when cases close.

This database exists because lawsuits are often the only public evidence of how the art world handles conflict and accountability. By tracking them in one place, it aims to make those processes visible.

Museum and Institutional Lawsuits

Norton Museum of Art v. Verity Partners

Filed October 21, 2025, U.S. Southern District Court of Florida

Status: Ongoing

Summary: The museum alleges Verity Partners withheld administrative control of its phone system following a contract dispute, forcing duplicative telecom costs. It seeks injunctive relief and damages.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/norton-museum-of-art-sues-its-telephone-provider/

[Withheld] v. Cleveland Institute of Art

Case Dismissed September 30, 2025, by the U.S. Southern District Court of the Northern District of Ohio

Status: Dismissed

Summary: A lawsuit filed by a former student who accused the Cleveland Institute of Art of mishandling her sexual assault allegations against a male student was dismissed on September 30, 2025, by a federal judge, who ruled that the art school adequately investigated and disciplined the male student.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/norton-museum-of-art-sues-its-telephone-provider/

Filed October 23, 2025, British Columbia Supreme Court in Penticton

Status: Ongoing

Summary: The Penticton Art Gallery is facing a lawsuit by its longtime curator, who was laid off by the nonprofit in August after 19 years serving the organization. Paul Crawford, the curator, alleges in the lawsuit that he was subject to “significant” bullying, as well as harassment and a toxic and dysfunctional workplace. The lawsuit centers on the legality of the layoff under his employment contract and whether it was intended to be permanent. Crawford considered the layoff a "constructive dismissal" while the gallery said it expected him to return to work in November.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/canada-penticton-art-gallery-sued-by-former-curator/

Ty Warner v. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Filed September 16, 2025, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Status: Ongoing

Summary: Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner claims the museum violated a 25-year naming-rights deal by removing his name from the Ty Warner Sea Center in 2014, halfway through the term, citing his 2013 tax-evasion conviction. He alleged that the museum kept his $1.5 million donation and later sought more than $50 million for a new naming opportunity. The case reflects growing scrutiny of donor agreements and how museums handle reputational issues tied to past benefactors.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/beanie-babies-billionaire-ty-warner-sues-santa-barbara-museum/

Andrea Kroksnes v. P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center

Filed October 28, 2025, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Status: Ongoing

Summary: Norwegian citizen Andrea Kroksnes filed a federal lawsuit against the Museum of Modern Art and its Queens affiliate, MoMA PS1, alleging negligence after a large wall-mounted panel fell and struck her while she was seated in a screening room during the 2022 exhibition "Jumana Manna: Middle Ghost." The complaint claims Kroksnes suffered an acute concussion and chronic post-concussion syndrome resulting in permanent disability, pain and mental anguish. She is seeking more than $150,000 in damages, plus additional relief, for alleged failures by both institutions to properly secure and supervise the installation.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/norwegian-woman-sues-moma-ps1-after-injury-falling-panel/

Labor and Employment Cases

Amanda Lea v. The Barstow School

Filed October 16, 2025, Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri

Status: Ongoing

Summary: A former art teacher at a private school in Kansas City has filed a lawsuit after she was purportedly fired for telling her students that far-right political activist Charlie Kirk was shot.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/art-teacher-fired-telling-students-charlie-kirk-shot-lawsuit/

Racquel Chevremont v. Mickalene Thomas

Complaint filed October 27, 2025, New York Supreme Court

Status: Ongoing

Summary: Collector and curator Racquel Chevremont, who also starred in Real Housewives of New York, alleges that she was subjected to domestic violence, years of verbal abuse and financial exploitation by her ex-fiancée, the artist Mickalene Thomas. The bulk of the case serves as an interesting study in the business challenges artists can face when blending their personal and professional lives. It centers on allegations regarding their work together at MT Special Projects, a company they formed to handle their artistic collaborations.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/real-housewives-star-sues-artist-mickalene-thomas-over-abusive-work-environment/

Stephen Thaler v. Shira Perlmutter

Petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court October 9, 2025

Status: Ongoing

Summary: Stephen Thaler has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case stemming from his pursuit to receive copyright protections for the artwork A Recent Entrance to Paradise, which was created using artificial intelligence.

Our Most Recent Coverage: https://www.urgentmatter.press/computer-scientist-supreme-court-ai-art-copyright-dispute/

Maintained by Urgent Matter editors and reporters. Entries draw on verified court filings, dockets and official statements. Submit filings or corrections to adam@urgentmatter.press

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