VLA Auditorium

This workshop provides valuable information about starting an arts-related business. Covered issues also include: For vs. Non-Profit incorporation, fiscal sponsorship, selecting and protecting business names; the legal and tax characteristics of LLCs and publication requirements, partnerships, and type C and S corporations; choice of jurisdiction; financing your business; employees and independent contracts; and insurance. This class will be taught by LeMar Moore, Esq., associate at McCarter & English, LLP. When: Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 4 – 6 pm Where: VLA Auditorium

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

VLA is proud to present its popular Legal & Business Issues in Art Series of free classes targeted to artists and individuals interested in the arts. The classes will be taught by our current Law School Student Interns as part of their work at VLA, and supervised by VLA staff. Consignment Agreements and the Artist/Gallery Relationship This class aims to provide an overview of the legal aspects of consignment agreements and the artist-gallery relationship. The class will cover important provisions

VLA is proud to present its popular Legal & Business Issues in Art Series of free classes targeted to artists and individuals interested in the arts. The classes will be taught by our current Law School Student Interns as part of their work at VLA, and supervised by VLA staff. Independent Contractors in the Film Industry This class will provide an overview of legal issues surrounding independent contractors in the film industry. Topics will include the difference between employees and

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

VLA’S OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY, AUGUST 20 THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 24. WE WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 27. To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

It’s not just a dance, and you’re more than just a performer or creator. As an artist-entrepreneur, it’s essential that you know the relevant business the legal issues to protect your rights and understand your obligations as an employee, employer, and owner of intellectual property. In this class, entertainment attorney Merlyne Jean-Louis and choreographer and author Adam Cates will discuss important issues of interest for dancers and choreographers. Topics include: Entity formation Contracts Employment issues Copyright issues (ex. registration and infringement)

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

Is it Fair? A Guide to Fair Use in Art (1.5 Continuing Legal Education credits) When: Monday, October 22nd, 5 - 6:30 PM Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 Description: Are you a visual artist wondering if and when you can incorporate copyrighted material into your artwork? There are certain circumstances where the limited, “fair use” of copyrighted material may be permitted. Join us on October 22nd as we delve into important copyright issues such as infringement, the fair use

Join us on October 23, 2018, for an informative introduction to a number of legal aspects of the music industry. Topics will include copyright registration, ownership and fair use, an overview of music publishing, Performing Rights Organizations (“PROs”) and record labels, including the main deal points in recording and publishing contracts, as well as the basics of music clearances for the use of music in film and television. We will also discuss the newly-passed Music Modernization Act, a very important piece

The O-1—used by many creatives and artists—is one of the most popular but misunderstood visa classifications. Join us Wednesday, October 24th for an exciting presentation by two leading attorneys in the field of immigration for the arts. In this seminar, we will discuss the O-1 and whether it really is a “freelance” visa, who qualifies, evidence needed to submit with O-1 petitions, as well as important details about who can sponsor an O-1 petition. The seminar will also explain why an

When: Tuesday, October 30th, 5 - 6:30 PM Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 This class offers 1.5 Continuing Legal Education Credits for Attorneys Description: Licensing artwork is a popular way for artists to generate income and exposure from their work. At the same time, it can be complicated, even for those with experience doing it, and the smallest details can cost you. This class will take you through practical examples of licensing agreements and situations you may

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is excited to participate in this year's Nitehawk Shorts Festival! Join VLA on November 9th at the Nitehawk Cinema for a special class on music rights in filmmaking. This class is open to Nitehawk Shorts Festival participants as well as the general public. As a filmmaker, one of the most important issues you encounter is securing permission for the use of music in your film. The process can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to

Learn about Legacy Planning for Artists, and make sure that your history can live on. No matter where you are in your career as an artist, your artwork is an expression of yourself and your personal history. It is your legacy. Protecting this legacy is a priority for most artists, but have you thought about how your intellectual property and artwork will be managed after you’re gone? Legacy Planning is important for both the successful artist, and for the artist

DESCRIPTION Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Rehabilitation Through The Arts and Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts at Columbia Law School, in collaboration with California Lawyers for the Arts and Center for Institutional & Social Change at Columbia Law School will host the New York Art for Justice Forum at Columbia University on November 16, 2018. The Forum will explore the role of the arts in addressing mass incarceration and criminal justice reform in three areas: Youth, Arts in

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

To volunteer for in-house consultations or to take a case from our list of available cases, or caselist, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA’s programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered. All orientations take place 
at VLA Auditorium: One East 53rd Street, First Floor
, New York, NY 10022. Attorney orientations are 
conducted by VLA staff. Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through

Join us on April 11, 2019, for an informative introduction to a number of legal aspects of the music industry. Topics will include copyright registration, ownership and fair use, an overview of music publishing, Performing Rights Organizations (“PROs”) and record labels, including the main deal points in recording and publishing contracts, as well as the basics of music clearances for the use of music in film and television. We will also discuss the newly-passed Music Modernization Act, a very important piece

Join VLA for an introduction to copyright law! As a creator, it is important to be able to make a living from the hard work you devote to your original works of authorship.  You should have the right to control what others can and cannot do with your works, with a few exceptions. Often, however, the legal and business aspects of what to do with art before, during, and after it is created will depend on copyright law. A creator’s copyrights

Have you ever wondered what a trademark is and whether you need one for your business or venture? Or how to establish and maintain trademark rights? This class will provide an overview of trademark law in the United States and will discuss how to establish a trademark, how to obtain a federal trademark registration through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and how to maintain and protect your trademark rights. This class will be taught by Erika Stallings, Esq., VLA

As an artist, your work is your legacy, but how do you make sure that your legacy survives after you’re gone? Using two initiatives, ART CART: Saving the Legacy and The Performing Arts Legacy project that document and represent older visual and performing artists’ legacies, Joan Jeffri, Director and Founder of the Research Center for Arts and Culture at The Actors Fund, will discuss how aging artists manage, chronicle and continue their creative work as they plan (or don’t) for

As a creator and artist, your intellectual property is one of your most valuable assets, though it's probably also one of the most misunderstood. Through this course, you will learn the basics of copyright law, what is does and does not cover, issues in copyright ownership, and steps you can take to prevent (or address) copyright infringement of your work. If you've ever wondered what it means to share copyright with a co-author, if you should register your copyrights, or

Many visual artists have misconceptions about the impact of copyright law on their artwork. Is it Fair? is designed to enable non-lawyers, as well as lawyers who have limited experience in the subject, to understand how copyright law – with a particular focus on fair use – affects visual art. In this workshop you will learn: - What the Prince v. Cariou fair use decision means for your artwork - How to navigate the changing law to ensure your time

From Basquiat to Banksy, from the streets to the gallery, from vandalism to fashion, graffiti and street art are thriving and bringing with them new legal issues. Like many new areas of art, the law is still catching up, leaving us with questions such as: Can graffiti be copyrighted? Can it be removed without the artist’s knowledge or consent? Is street art legal and if not, who owns it? Join us on October 15th and hear from Louise Carron, Executive Director of

Calling all jewelry designers! Would you know what to do if you see that your designs were copied by others? What about if another designer accuses you of using their work? Join VLA and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) for a panel discussion on how to use intellectual property law to protect your designs! Learn about the differences between copyright, trademark and patent law protection, the benefits of copyright or trademark registration, what designs can be registered, and what to

As an artist and an entrepreneur, contracts are an essential tool for your business. Whether you are creating commissioned work, a musician performing a gig, a filmmaker licensing music, or any artist engaged in any business relationship, you are probably entering into contracts on a regular basis. But do you know how to create a contract or what terms are important? This class will provide you with an overview of contract law, including essential aspects of contract formation and standard contract

Join VLA on November 13th at the Nitehawk Cinema for a special class on music rights in filmmaking! This class is open to Nitehawk Shorts Festival participants as well as the general public. As a filmmaker, one of the most important issues you encounter is securing permission for the use of music in your film. The process can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this class taught by VLA's Executive Director Katie Wagner, Esq. you'll get an overview of

This program will cover the financial fundamentals that every artist and small business owner needs to consider. Attorney and finance expert Jared Graw will take you through the basics of borrowing and budgeting for a small business, financial best practices, and how you can apply these principles with different business entities. If you have always wanted to learn more about the difference between accrual vs. cash accounting, how to set up a budget or obtain a line of credit (but