Hays County is dedicated to safeguarding freedom of expression in the visual arts. However, the Government Center does not serve as a gallery or museum. The County reserves the right to relocate or remove artworks at its own discretion, and the display of artworks does not create a public forum. The Hays County Fine Art Insurance Policy covers artworks loaned to the county for display while they are on premises under the care of county personnel.
The county will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the artworks loaned to it, but is not responsible for damage or theft, except in cases covered by the fine arts insurance policy. The organization or artist lending the artwork assumes all risks not covered. The Art Committee may cancel an exhibition on display if it determines that the cancellation is necessary to protect the artwork or because of an unexpected use of the building. The lender is responsible for all aspects of the sale transaction for the artworks on display at the Hays County Government Center. The art center has partnered with local artists and restaurants to raise funds for the Hays County Food Bank by organizing an event called Empty Bowl entitled “Buy a Bowl, Feed 100 People”.
The Art Committee is the sole curator of an exhibition at the Hays County Government Center, with absolute discretion when selecting and placing artworks. The artworks exhibited at the Hays County Government Center may be for sale by the organization or by the artist who lends the material, provided that the works sold remain on display until the end of the exhibition. Any organization or individual that wishes to exhibit an exhibition at the Hays County Government Center must submit a proposal to the Art Committee. The organization or artist lending artworks for an exhibition at the Hays County Government Center shall provide an appropriate replacement, subject to approval by the Art Committee, for artworks removed from the exhibition prior to its completion. While Art Storefronts is taking steps to comply with GDPR and providing its merchants with tools to help them comply, each merchant is ultimately responsible for ensuring that their business complies with laws in jurisdictions in which it operates or has buyers.
However, since Hays County Government Center does not function as a gallery or museum and is attended by citizens of diverse opinions and backgrounds who come there to do business with county, it is important that all visitors respect each other's privacy. If Arts Committee decides to appoint a selection panel, its members may include county staff and community representatives. Art Storefronts is also committed to referring unresolved complaints related to Privacy Shield to EU data protection authorities (the “DPA Panel”) and Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (“FDPIC”), an alternative dispute resolution provider located in EU or Switzerland, as applicable. If approved in writing by building manager, Arts Committee may allow lender to install exhibition under supervision of Arts Committee or provide at least one person to assist with installation of exhibition by Arts Committee. If Art Committee receives complaint stating that particular artwork is mocking, vulgar, rude, or offensive to visitors, Art Committee will review complaint and make decision to move or remove work that is subject of complaint. The Art Committee shall select artworks that are appropriate and appropriate in subject matter and quality for functions of Hays County Government Center.
Artworks displayed at Hays County Government Center throughout exhibition will remain in place until end of exhibition, unless Art Committee approves their early removal.
