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January 2011

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Newsletter January 2011

Greetings!

 

Happy New Year! December was a great month for us at VLA. Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento, Dena Bouchard and Anna Kadyshevich went down to Miami Beach for the New Art Dealers Alliance in early December, where they met with previous friends and clients, as well as with new artists and organizations.


The 2011 Art & Law Residents were chosen, bringing together a group of eight visual artists and four writers. We look forward to the exhibition that will be held at the end of the residency. And finally, 2010 ended on a great note when The Artists Forum recognized VLA as the 2010 AF Magazine Arts Organization of the Year. What an honor! After a relaxing holiday break, we are ready to jump back in and start 2011 off with a bang.


It's here. The Law School for Visual Artists 2011 will kick off on February 2. The five-week course will be taught by VLA's very own Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento. The Law School was a huge success last year, and we promise that this year it will be just as good, if not better. The Law School for Visual Artists is funded by the AG Fund and The Matisse Foundation. Please scroll down or visit our website for more information.


Are you a fashionista? Keep in touch with us as we launch our very first Fashion Week programming. Much is in the works, but this much is for sure: it will not be boring. Fashion design, film, food, legal clinic, fashion and film law class: all for one week in February. Stay tuned!


Please note that the VLA office will be closed January 17th for Martin Luther King Day. We will re-open on January 18. 
  
See you soon!
VLA Staff

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
http://vlany.org



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NADA Art Fair image

VLA at NADA Art Fair 

As a partner to the New Art Dealer's Alliance, VLA made an appearance at this year's NADA Art Fair in Miami Beach. VLA's Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento, Dena Bouchard, and Anna Kadyshevich greeted thousands of attendees, including many who expressed gratitude for VLA's legal and educational services. We look forward to assisting the hundreds of attendees who approached us seeking legal services and information on our educational programming. If you missed us this year, we hope to see you next year at the 2011 NADA Art Fair. Until then...

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Art & Law

Art & Law Residency Program

The Art & Law Residency provides an intellectual and artistic setting for participants to engage in ongoing discussions and debates that examine the overlap and disconnect between artistic production and the law from historical, social, ethical and intellectual standpoints. Using law as both a discourse and medium, new visual artwork and critical writing will come into being through the Program. All the participants also gain experience and knowledge they can carry into the future beyond the Program.

The new residents for the 2011 program are:

Amina Bech
Michael Cataldi
Blane de St. Croix
Molly Dilworth
Mazie Harris
Lorraine Lezama
Graham Parker
Risa Puno
Lian Sifuentes
Woody Sullander
Alex Villar
Tracy Zwick

To find out more about the artists click here

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VLA is AF Arts Organization of the Year 2010

We would like to thank The Artists Forum and you for your vote and support. We have been awarded as 2010 AF Magazine Arts Organization of the Year. What a great way to close out 2010 and get us geared up for an exciting New Year. 2011 will bring even more educational programming and exciting events. And of course, we will provide the legal assistance to artists and arts organizations that we have been providing since we first opened in 1969.

VLA is proud to provide services to the New York Arts Community and we want to thank The Artists Forum and Amos White V not only for this recognition but for also educating artists on how to legally protect themselves. We also could not run without the dedication and help from all of our volunteer attorneys and our artist members. And thanks to everyone who voted for us.

We look forward to continuing to serve the arts community in 2011.

Happy Holidays and New Year,

The VLA Gang-

Elena, Sergio, Ben, Anna, Dena, Joni & Luis

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VLA on Time Out Magazine


Law School for Visual Artists at The Drawing Center was featured in Time Out Magazine December Issue. Thanks to The Drawing Center and all the people who showed up! Look for more upcoming classes like this on our website! vlany.org

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Upcoming Classes & Workshops 

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New Volunteer Attorney Orientation


When: Monday, January 10, 2011, 6-7pm

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)


Getting Started With VLA: New Volunteer Attorney Orientation

To volunteer at our clinics or take a case from our case list, 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.


Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through VLA:

  • All volunteers must submit a current resume, including 3 references, that VLA will check.
  • All volunteer attorneys MUST be covered by their own or their employer's legal malpractice insurance policy for volunteer work performed through VLA.
  • Attorneys who have have been admitted to practice for less than 3 years must have a supervising attorney who has been admitted to practice for longer than 3 years. Volunteers are responsible for securing their own supervising attorney.

You MUST RSVP prior to attending an orientation session.


To register for an orientation session please fill out and return this New Attorney Orientation Registration Form. You will only be contacted if that orientation is already full.


Attorney orientations are conducted by Ben Brandow, Esq., Assistant Director of Legal Services.  For additional information or if you are at a law firm and are interested in having VLA make a presentation to your attorneys about our volunteer opportunities please contact Ben at 212�319�ARTS (2787), ext. 14 or at [email protected].



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Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status Workshop

When: Tuesday, January 11, 2010, 1 - 4 pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

This three-hour introductory class introduces individuals, organizations and practicing attorneys to the basics of nonprofit incorporation and federal and state tax exemption. Class includes course e-book with this pertinent information, along with information on fiscal sponsorships programs as well as sample forms and documents. 

This class provides individuals, organizations and practicing attorneys with 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 this class before a volunteer attorney can be assigned to them.
 
This class will be taught by Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento, Esq., VLA's Associate Director.

Fees:
(there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register day of the class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $75
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $100
VLA Legal Professional Member: $150
Legal Professional Non-Member: $200
(Additional individuals from the same start-up organization
may register for an additional $25 ea.

To register and for more information, please see this Non-Profit registration form, or register via phone at 212.319.2787 x1.


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Legal Issues in the Fashion Workplace:
Employment Law and related Intellectual Property Issues for Individual Designers and Arts and Fashion Business Owners and Managers.

When: Thursday, January 13, 2010, 4 - 6pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

This program provides an overview of the laws that govern the relationships between individual artists and designers as employees and independent contractors in the fashion industry and fashion design businesses in their roles as employers.  Topics include the employee/independent contractor distinction, employment contracts, intellectual property issues, non-compete agreements, and more! The program will also provide an overview of the intellectual property and other assets that are typically at the heart of these businesses, with a focus on the common employment-related issues that arise in their creation and distribution. 
 
Presenters: Gary H. Glaser, Esq. and Elena M. Paul, Esq.


Fees:

(there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register day of the class)
Individuals/Orgs: $35 for VLA members / $50 for non-members
Attorneys: $125 for VLA members / $175 for non-members


For more information please call Anna Kadyshevich at 212.319.2787 x16. To register complete and fax this form.


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Save the date:

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VLA Law School for Visual Artists 2011

When: February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 2011

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)


Legal issues can be overwhelming for many visual artists: relationships with galleries, appropriation practices, damaged artwork, art world employment practices, and collaborations with other artists are just some of the issues visual artists face.


With this in mind, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has initiated a course for contemporary visual artists that will make legalese comprehensible and manageable, while giving visual artists an introduction to legal issues necessary to protect themselves and their art projects. This 5-week lecture series will cover intellectual property (copyright and trademarks); contracts, consignment agreements, and licensing agreements; basic business models (non-profit and for-profit corporations, LLC's); employment issues with studio and gallery assistants; artist websites; as well as issues in public art and commissioning agreements.


The classes will be taught by VLA's Associate Director, Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento


This class series is open to visual artists only, and includes class materials.


Class series will take place on the following Wednesdays:


February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 2011


All classes will take place from 4pm - 6pm, and will be held at the VLA Auditorium (1 East 53rd Street, 6th floor, NY).


To register for this free lecture series, please e-mail the following information (your name, e-mail address, artistic medium (film, video, sculpture, painting, drawing, etc.), years of professional practice) to Luis Nieto Dickens at [email protected] before January 23, 2011.


Please note: Seating is limited, and thus unfortunately we cannot accommodate every registration. In order to be registered for this lecture series, registrants must attend all 5 classes. You will receive an e-mail confirming your registration on January 24, 2011. Please do not contact us regarding your pending registration.


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Forming your For-Profit Arts Business

When: Thursday, February 10, 2010, 4 - 6 pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (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.


Fees:
(there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register day of the class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $75
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $100
VLA Legal Professional Member: $125
Legal Professional Non-Member: $175

This class will be taught by VLA's Executive Director, Elena M. Paul, Esq.

To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at [email protected]

To apply for a full or partial CLE scholarship, please view our Financial Aid Policy Guidelines here

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Legal Issues in Film

When: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:00-6:30 pm

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)


*2.5 CLE Credits, 1 Professional Practice, 1 Skills and .5 Ethics (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys)

This class will provide an overview of the legal issues and common business arrangements used in film and television projects. In addition, option agreements for the acquisition of literary properties; distribution agreements and a comprehensive release for reality based television program will be discussed. We will also take a look at legal issues surrounding recent films such as Borat.  Reading materials for the class will be emailed one week prior to the class.

Fees:

(there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register day of the class)
Full Time Student $20 (must bring valid student ID to class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $25
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $35
VLA Legal Professional Member: $130
Legal Professional Non-Member: $150

To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. You will receive a confirmation email one week before the scheduled date of the class. Info or questions? Please email Joni Todd


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Become a VLA Member Today! 

Law Firm and Corporate Members:

VLA has developed two new opportunities for attorneys and other legal professionals, that are now available � 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

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Donate to VLA

VLA has seen an increase in demand for pro bono legal services, in-house consultations, legal clinics, and educational programming, and we expect 2010 to be even more demanding. Would you like to support more VLA legal services and educational programming?
In 2010, your support will make possible:
  • More legal services to low-income artists
  • More legal services to arts nonprofit organizations
  • More educational programming
  • More scholarship programs
  • More outreach programming
  • Maintaining lower fees for legal services and educational programming
  • More discounts on legal books for artists
Donations of any size will have a positive impact on our ability to provide vital services for artists and the arts community. $5, $10, $25, or $75 will help. In fact, if you donate more than $100 we will send you a VLA Supporter Box. What's in a VLA Supporter Box? Click here


Donate by purchasing an Artwork

Artwork by Jim Hodges
VLA is very pleased to announce the sale of a
limited edition print by noted American artist Jim Hodges. Born in 1957 in Washington State, Hodges creates pieces using a variety of materials with the meticulous precision of collage work, sewing, assembling and cut-out. The end results are works that are both minimal and rich. A retrospective of his work was held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris late last year. His work is also included in the collections of such institutions as The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Modern Art, New York and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. (detail of artwork shown)

Mr. Hodges has generously donated these unframed limited edition prints to VLA.

For more information, please contact by e-mail Luis Nieto Dickens or at 212.319.2787 x12.
Order Form


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Library & Bookstore

Library and Bookstore 

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 grant writing. 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 Art Law Line at 212.319.2787, x1.


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Financial Aid for Lawyers 

Financial Aid Policy Guidelines for CLE Classes

To apply for a full or partial scholarship, applicants must submit proof of unemployment or their most recent tax return and a completed registration form for that class via mail to VLA 1 E. 53rd St., 6th Floor attn: Ben Brandow or via fax at 212.752.6575.


Unemployed: 75% scholarship

Income up to $35,000: 50% scholarship

Income $35,000 to $50,000: 25% scholarship

Income over $50,000: No Discount

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Education & Programming 

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 Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento at 212�319�ARTS (2787), ext.13.

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About VLA

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.

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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VLA Holiday Party 2010 

VLA's Holiday Party on December 15 was a success! Great people, food, music and gifts for everyone. We also invited designers to display and sell jewelry and lifestyle items. You can find more information about the designers below. On behalf of VLA, thank you for attending!

Megan Isaacs: http://www.meganisaacs.com/
Graciela Fuentes: http://www.tiranajewelry.com/
HOLSTEE http://shop.holstee.com/


VLA Newsletter
Happy New Year!
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In This Issue
VLA at NADA Art Fair
Art & Law Residency Program
VLA is AF Arts Organization of the Year
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Become a VLA Member
Donate to VLA
Library & Bookstore
Financial Aid for Lawyers
Education & Programming
About VLA
VLA Holiday Party 2010

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VLA Posters Available

Look for us on the March issue of The Art Economist

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All You Can Learn Pass

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Featured Artist

Featured Artist
Every month we will feature a New York area artist, designer or illustrator working in any media on our monthly newsletter. If you would like to see your work here please e-mail your name, contact info, artistic medium and a link to your online portfolio to Luis Nieto Dickens at [email protected] to receive more info on format and deadline.
All inquiries to appear in our newsletter should be sent by January 11, 2011

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Success Story of the Month

"I was referred to Cozen O'Connor by the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in NYC. For a small nonprofit dance company such as ours, representation by such a prestigious firm is a dream come true. Too often, small arts groups must forego addressing certain legal issues due to a lack of sufficient resources. In our case, we felt that our company's intellectual property rights were being violated and sought counsel regarding our legal options.


I initially met with Elena M. Paul Esq., VLA's Executive Director, and she and her staff helped me find the right pro bono service for my case. VLA provides an invaluable service in connecting arts organizations with legal representation. I was impressed with VLA's follow-up and support throughout the process.

I am very grateful to Cozen O'Connor and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and I hope we can stay in touch."

Sincerely,

A. Dwayne Linville
General Manager
Dusa Tynek
Dance Theater

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(212) 319-ARTS