About Us
We are passionate about museums and the essential contribution they make to our society. MuseumContracts.com is proud to play even a small role in supporting mission-driven professionals like you.
Why Create MuseumContracts.com?
Most museums are nonprofit organizations. That means they typically don’t have large budgets set aside for legal matters and can’t afford a full-time, in-house attorney. Hiring outside counsel can also be cost-prohibitive, especially with “big law” firms.
Yet, like every business, museums need written contracts. MuseumContracts.com fills this gap by offering templates drafted by an attorney with 30+ years of legal experience — over 10 of those dedicated specifically to museums and other nonprofits. Founder Sharon Hotchkiss has handled 1000s of museum transactions and nows which agreements are used most often, as well as the provisions museums regularly negotiate.
Do Museums Really Need Written Contracts?
Every agreement with a customer, donor, sponsor, collaborator, lender, vender, volunteer or employee (and more) should absolutely be in writing. A clear written agreement protects both sides by spelling out the terms of the business relationship. Without one, museums risk disputes, loss of intellectual property rights, and unnecessary exposure to liability.
For more information, see Sharon’s blog “Busting the Most Common Excuses for Not Using Written Contracts.”
Do Templates Eliminate the Need for an Attorney?
No. Templates won’t completely eliminate the need for legal advice. But when well-drafted contract templates are used, legal fees can be substantially reduced. If you have a legal questions regarding your specific transaction, we recommend seeking the advice of an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
If you need one-on-one advice in either California or Texas, you may contact Hotchkiss Law Firm LLC (here)
Driven by passion
Sharon Hotchkiss
Founder | Attorney
Experienced Museum Attorney
For over 10 years, Sharon has worked closely with museum C-Suite officers, board members, and others in management of museum operations. She advises them on day-to-day contracts, risk management, and intellectual property matters. In this role, she has negotiated, drafted and reviewed thousands of agreements for cultural institutions.
Museum Lover
Sharon has allays loved visiting museums, and studied art history in Paris, France. More importantly, she values the essential role museums play in society. They connect communities through art, preserve and teach (true) history, and inspire us to create a better future through STEM.
Animal Welfare Advocate
Outside of her museum work, Sharon dedicates time to animal welfare. She has served on nonprofit boards, advised animal welfare organizations on legal issues, and lobbied at the Texas State Capitol to help pass common-sense laws protecting pets. Sharon has rescued 3 dogs (they really have rescued her). Her most recent pup is pictured on the right.
Founder of Sydney and Pearl Hotchkiss Endowed Scholarship
MuseumContracts.com brings Sharon’s legal expertise and passion for museums’ missions together to help museums protect their work, reduce risk, and focus on what they do best.