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| Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Newsletter |
August 2009 |
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| Greetings!
This month VLA held a Garden Reception at Dia:Beacon for the launch of our first David Alfaro Siqueiros award event, which honored two individuals and one philanthropic organization that we think highlight Siqueiros' artistic philosophy and integrity. This year we honored Swiss artist Christoph Büchel; Erin Donnelly, Director of Artist Residencies at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; and The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation. The reception was a huge success, bringing together a range of our friends and supporters from both the legal and artistic communities.
(Elena M. Paul, VLA's Executive Director and Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, VLA's Associate Director presenting awards to Christoph Büchel and Erin Donelly at Dia: Beacon. Photograph by Ben Brandow, Esq.)
Also, in July VLA launched it's new Young Associates Membership (YAM) category exclusively for young lawyers and professionals generally in their 1st - 4th years of practice and career. Young Associate Members support VLA's mission of providing legal and business services to New York's art community and offers exclusive access to resources in New York's cultural scene. YAMs will receive invitations to a variety of events hosted by VLA and VLA collaborators designed to encourage YAM members' understanding of the representation of artists and arts organizations as well as to foster an appreciation for contemporary culture and promote members' involvement in philanthropic activities. YAM is a great way to meet other young lawyers and professionals as well as artists, musicians, filmmakers, dancers, curators, and collectors. For more information on becoming a YAM click here. Our first YAM events will take place early in September in collaboration with NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance). Upcoming events include several parties and a visit to a private art collection, details will be included in our upcoming YAM event newsletter.
As a way of thanking our staff and to celebrate the end of another successful fiscal year, VLA will be closed from August 3rd to August 7th. VLA would like to thank all of its supporters, donors, friends, board members, attorneys, and clients for helping us achieve our programmatic and budgetary goals last year, particularly during these difficult times.
Also as of July 2009, Peter R. Stern, Esq., of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP has stepped down as VLA's Chairman after ten years of extraordinary service. VLA's Board of Directors has named Peter VLA's Chairman Emeritus. Peter led the organization through a period of notable programmatic expansion and financial stability and will remain a member of our Board of Directors and Executive Committee. VLA's new Chairman is David Leichtman, Esq., a partner at Lovells LLP; David has been an active member of our Board and the Executive and Legal Services Committees. We would like to thank Peter for his service and look forward to working with David, Peter and the rest of our Board in the year ahead.
For those VLA volunteer attorneys or VLA artist members who will be in the city for August please review our class offerings for the month as well as our discount offerings below.
Very truly yours,
Elena M. Paul, Esq.
Executive Director
Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq.
Associate Director |
Law and CLE Film Class
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The Violence of Language in David Mamet's Oleanna
2.0 CLE Ethics Credits Available (Transitional and non-Transitional)
VLA is proud to announce a the second class in it's new CLE law and film series. Our new law and film series focuses on the study of legal ethics through the prism of film and cinema. Attendees will be mailed a DVD of the film, a copy of the play along with reading material two-weeks before the class. Registered participants will then attend a two-hour class on October 6th to discuss the film and readings.
In this class we will cover David Mamet's Oleanna, a film about the power struggle between a university professor and a student who accuses him of sexual exploitation. This class will examine and analyze the ethical issues presented in both the original 1992 play and later film adaptation. Ethics, morals, language and laws are all seen in this story in literal and abstract representations, allowing for both practical and philosophical discussions as to how they may apply to interpersonal relations and how at times certain choices can produce unintended consequences.
For more information on this workshop, please click here. |
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Legal Issues in Contemporary Art:
Copyright |
*2.5 CLE Credits Available, 1.5 Professional Practice and 1 Ethics (transitional)
This workshop is held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Now more than ever, visual and performing artists need to be more aware than ever of copyright laws and the legal issues that may affect their practice and the presentation of their work. This class will focus on copyright law, with a primer on some of the more pressing legal concerns for artists today, such as the use of appropriated logos and images, fair use, as well as moral rights. This class will give an overview of a few cases that clearly illustrate the recent explosion of copyright lawsuits: Associated Press v.
Shepard Fairey; Patrick Cariou v. Richard Prince; Gaylord v. United States. We will also discuss the legal issues related to blogs, websites, and website aggregators.
For more information on this class and for registration form, please click here, or you may contact Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org. |
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Forming Your For-Profit Arts Business |
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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 an publication requirements, partnerships, and type C and S corporations; choice of jurisdiction; financing your business; employees and independent contracts; and insurance.
Fees:
Arts Professional VLA Member: $50
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $75
VLA Legal Professional Member: $125
Legal Professional Non-Member: $175
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
August 20, 4-6pm
September 17, 4-6pm
October 15, 4-6pm
November 19, 4-6pm
December 17, 4-6pm
For more information on this class, please click here, or you may contact Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org
To register for this class, please click here. |
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Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax-Exemption Workshop |
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This workshop provides valuable information about starting a nonprofit organization. State issues to be covered include articles of incorporation, bylaws, and the first organization meeting. Federal issues include the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and corresponding regulations, application for employer identification number, IRS disclosure rules, unrelated business taxable income, charitable contributions, and restrictions on lobbying. VLA requires all applicants seeking Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status services through VLA to attend one of these workshops before a volunteer attorney can be assigned to them.
Upcoming classes will be held on:
Tuesday, August 18, 1-4pm
Monday, September 14, 1-4pm*
Tuesday, October 20, 1-4pm*
Monday, November 16, 1-4pm*
Tuesday, December 8, 1-4pm
*CLE credit (Professional Practice, traditional format, transitional and non-transitioanl) is available for eligible attorneys on dates indexed with an asterisk.
For more information on this class, please click here, or you may contact Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org |
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VLA Teams Up with Dia:Beacon |
Art Law: After Conceptual Art, in the Digital Age, and During Lean Times
VLA is proud to co-sponsor a series of classes with Dia:Beacon focusing on current legal issues in art. Two more topics are currently scheduled:
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 2pm: Legal Issues in Contemporary Art
Through some recent, and not so recent, case studies, this workshop will provide artists and arts organizations with a primer on some of the more pressing legal concerns for artists today, such as contractual agreements; consignment laws; the use of appropriated material; websites and the
internet; and moral rights.
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2pm: Considering the Fiscal Sponsorship Model to Structure and Support Art Projects
Many independent artists as well as small and new arts organizations require public donations and contributions to carry out certain artistic projects. Without the requisite 501(c)(3) status, these artists and organizations face difficulties in raising funds from philanthropic individuals, charitable foundations, and government institutions. Fortunately, Fiscal Sponsorship arrangements exist which enable individual artists, as well as small and new arts organizations, to raise grants and tax-deductible contributions for their projects. Because Fiscal Sponsorships are regulated by the IRS, there are some complicated legal issues involved. Failure to comply with IRS regulations can create legal complications for the artist and/or organization. Additionally, a Fiscal Sponsorship creates an arrangement between artist and sponsor, thus calling for a written agreement where issues of liability and intellectual property will be clearly manifested.
All classes will be held and Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, and will be taught by Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Associate Director, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, NYC
Seating will be limited. For more information on these new programs, and to make program reservations, call 845.440.0100 x19 or email rsvpVLA@diaart.org
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New VLA Member Services |
Law Firm and Corporate Members:
VLA has just developed two new opportunities for attorneys and other legal professionals, and are now available à la carte or as part of the benefits of a Corporate/Law Firm Membership at the Patron Level.
Artist, Arts Organization, and Legal Professional Members:
VLA has also just developed an additional training opportunity for attorneys and arts professionals looking to make a career transition (from legal practice to nonprofit careers).
For more information on these new programs and on becoming a law firm or corporate member, please click here (pdf version). |
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About Us
Since 1969, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has been the leading provider of pro bono legal services and mediation, as well as educational programs, publications, and advocacy to the arts community in the New York area and beyond. As the first arts-related legal aid organization, VLA is the model for similar organizations around the world.
VLA is supported in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and through generous gifts from law firms, corporations, foundations and individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
1 East 53rd Street, 6th floor
New York, New York 10022
212.319.ARTS (2787)
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Our Supporters
VLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal service organization supported in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and through generous gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals. View a full list of foundation and government supporters here; to view a full list of law firm and corporate supporters, click here. | |
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| Quick Links to Class Registration Forms |
With the exception of the "For-Profit Arts Business" class, all of the classes above are available for CLE credit. |
| Financial Hardship Policy |
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Full and partial scholarships to attend VLA's Continuing Legal Education programs are available to persons with demonstrated financial hardship. To apply, applicants must submit a request, on letterhead if possible, stating the reason for their interest, proof of income or an explanation of their financial hardship, and a completed course registration form. Scholarships will be awarded on a space-available basis, with preference given to applicants in order of date submitted. For more information please view http://www.vlany.org/education/clecredit.php. |
| Ways to Get Involved and Training for Attorneys |
If you're an attorney and would like to get involved with VLA, please click here for more information on our legal services, CLE classes, mediation training, and new attorney orientation programming. |
| Legal Services |
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VLA's Legal Services program is the central focus of our activities and resources. The program includes a wide range of services including: the Art Law Line, a legal hotline; the VLA Legal Clinic for VLA members; in-house appointments with VLA staff attorneys; and pro bono placements for low-income artists and nonprofit arts organizations with one of over 1,200 volunteer attorneys.
If you are a practicing attorney, you may view the current cases available for pro bono placement by clicking here.
For more information on any of our programs please call or Ben Brandow at 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext.14
You may also call our Art Law Line at 212.319.2787 x1, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Education |
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Our Department of Education offers a wide variety of discipline-specific and general educational programs, both at its office and privately on location for law firms and art, cultural and service organizations. VLA is also certified by the New York State Bar Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education courses and programs. Accordingly, VLA provides CLE classes at its office, and privately for law firms at their offices. VLA also custom designs courses, including CLE classes, upon request.
For more information on any of our programs please call Sérgio Muñoz Sarmiento at 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext.13. |
| VLA Library and Bookstore |
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VLA has a small but in-depth book library containing a wealth of materials and resources for artists, arts organizations, and legal professionals. Our books and materials cover diverse areas such as nonprofits, fiscal sponsorships, visual art, music, theater, dance, writing, film, internet, and digital media, all in relation to intellectual property, contracts, licensing, legal entities, free speech, employment law, and grantwriting. Access to VLA's library is free and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 12 to 6pm.
Along with providing individuals and organizations with access to the VLA's Library, VLA makes available a wide variety of books for all arts disciplines and organizations. For a list of our publications and books available for sale, please visit our list. For book prices and shipping fees, please contact VLA at our ArtLawLine at 212.319.2787, x1. |
| VLA Calendar |
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Keep up with our events, classes, workshops, and legal clinics through our calendar. | |
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Are you a VLA
volunteer attorney?
AUGATTY |
If you are a VLA volunteer attorney, we are offering you a 25% discount on any class or workshop currently being offered by Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Please include this coupon with the registration form. If calling please mention this code. You may use one coupon per workshop. This coupon does not apply to any of the Dia:Beacon classes.
Name: ____________________________ Firm: _________________
E-mail: ____________________________ Phone: _______________
Workshop: _____________________
Master Card ___ Visa ___ Am Ex ___
Card # _______________________________ Exp: _____/_____
Signature___________________________________________
For more information on our Workshops, please visit our website at www.vlany.org |
| Offer Expires: August 20, 2009 |
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Are you an artist?
AUGART |
During these difficult economic time, VLA would like to make it easier for visual and performing artists, as well as writers of all kinds, to attend our classes and workshops. VLA is offering you a 25% discount on any class or workshop currently being offered by Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Please include this coupon with all registration forms. If calling please mention this code. You may use one coupon per class or workshop. This coupon does not apply to any of the Dia:Beacon classes.
Student _____ Professional _____ Faculty_____
Workshop Name: ____________________________________
Medium:
Art _____ Film _____ Music _____ Theater _____ Dance _____ Writing _____
Web/Blogger _____ Other _______________________
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| Offer Expires: August 20, 2009 to receive this discount. | |
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