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Greetings!
Even though it was a short month, February was still full of exciting classes and events here at VLA! The first Fashion Week series of programs was a huge success. The group-walk through of the Balenciaga: Spanish Master Exhibition at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, the fashion based legal clinic at the VLA offices, and our winter party in collaboration with the SculptureCenter were just some of the highlights. February also brought with it the start of the five week VLA Law School for Visual Artists. Only one session left before the visual artists "graduate"!
Once again, VLA was present at this year's College Art Association here in New York City. On February 9, Elena M. Paul presented to a large audience on Avoiding Legal Hassles and Understanding Fair Use. The CAA Conference ran from February 8th through February 12th.
On February 25, Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento spoke about legal issues on a panel, A Brand New You! Website Marketing & Strategies, organized by Columbia University's Department of Art and Graduate School of Journalism. Other panelists were Columbia professor Sree Sreenivasan and fiction writer Suzanne Moses.
Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq., presenting Askthelawyer.info at the Texas Wesleyan School of Law
March is looking to be just as busy. On March 8th, VLA and Friends of the FCI will present Starting Your Culinary Business, a workshop which provides valuable information about starting a culinary business, including restaurants, bakeries, bars, and catering companies. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the French Culinary Institute (FCI). For more information, please view our website here.
VLA's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals™ is back! On March 11th join VLA for an all-day program that will cover the legal and business issues that affect individual artists of all arts disciplines and individual within arts institutions. For more information or to register for the Bootcamp, please view our registration form.
On March 24th, from 6 - 8 pm, join Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts for a networking event and a curated Trunk Show featuring some of New York City's hottest fashion, accessory, and apparel designers. For more information, check out our amazing Trunk Show poster. Hope to see you all there!
VLA Staff
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
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 VLA Fashion Week Special Report Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week was a blast, and VLA was there to share it with the arts community! We launched off the week with VLA's For-profit Start-up class. Next, we spent Valentine's Day visiting the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute to experience the fabulous exhibit Balenciaga: Spanish Master. After the walk through we gathered at Bistro Chat Noir for coffee and a sparkling conversation. Counseling the Fashion and Film Client class on Tuesday, February 15 had a great turnaround, as did our Open Legal Clinic at VLA offices on February 16. We closed our programming with an amazing Winter Party at the SculptureCenter. Art, music, people, drinks and a great ambient were the culmination of our Fashion Week programming. Stay tuned for the Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week with VLA and for more upcoming events from your friends at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Thanks for the people who joined us!  Balenciaga: Spanish Master Exhibition. Photograph by Kenny Komer 
SculptureCenter performance. Photo by David B. Smith 
SculptureCenter performance. Photo by David B. Smith Thanks to the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute and the SculptureCenter for their support.
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VLA in the News In February Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts was featured in various publications in the New York area. Read how VLA is involved in the arts community below: VLA Helps Artist Melanie Gold NY Times features artist Melanie Gold in her battle for free speech rights. Click here for full articleVLA in The Wall Street Journal WSJ features the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation's support of VLA's askthelawyer.info project. Click here for full articleLook for us on The Art Economist! Our great VLA poster was featured in the back pages of The Art Economist on the March Issue 2. Find us! |
VLA Trunk Show 2011
When: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 6 - 8pm
Where: Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Ave, New York
Please join Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts for a networking event and a curated Trunk Show featuring some of NYC's hottest FASHION, ACCESSORY and APPAREL designers
Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 22, 2011 to Joni Todd at
jtodd@vlany.org or at 212.319.2787 x. 10
Download the Trunk Show poster here
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VLA's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals™
When: Friday, March 11, 2011 10am - 5pm
Where: Herrick, Feinstein LLP, 2 Park Avenue, New York
VLA is pleased to announce this intensive program, a modified version of VLA's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals, our signature educational program. This Bootcamp will cover the legal and business issues that affect individual artists of all arts disciplines and individuals within arts institutions.
Sessions will include:
- Intellectual Property
- Contract Essentials and Negotiation Skills
- For-Profit, Non-Profit, Fiscal Sponsorship Models
- Considerations for Documentary and Fact-Based Projects
Who Should Attend:
Individual artists of all arts disciplines and individuals within arts institutions. Cultural organizations, recently admitted attorneys, and other professionals who represent artists should also benefit from this program.
More details below or download registration form
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Upcoming Classes & Workshops
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New Volunteer Attorney Orientation When: Monday, March 7, 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 bbrandow@vlany.org. .......................................................................................................... Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status Workshop
When: Tuesday, March 8, 2010, 1 - 4pm* Tuesday, April 5, 2010, 1 - 4pm Tuesday, May 10, 2010, 1 - 4pm* Tuesday, June 7, 2010, 1 - 4pm Note: Asterisk denotes classes available for CLE credit. 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 Muņoz 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. .......................................................................................................... Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Friends of the FCI Presents: Starting Your Culinary Business When: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 4:30 - 7pm Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium) This workshop provides valuable information about starting a culinary business, including restaurants, bakeries, bars, and catering companies. This class will cover important issues that every start up business person needs to know including: the selection of a business entity, incorporation; financing, branding, licensing (including liquor licenses, cabaret permits, out door seating permits), taxes and regulatory compliance. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the French Culinary Institute (FCI). The Friends of the FCI is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable corporation that raises money for scholarships and financial aid to FCI career students based on financial need and ability to complete the program they desire. The organization was founded based on the belief that money should not stand between talented, motivated, deserving students and a first-rate culinary education. Fees (late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class):Current FCI Student: $25 FCI Alumni: $50 Other Culinary Professionals: $100 Other: $100 To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Elena M. Paul at 212.319.2787 x17. .......................................................................................................... VLA's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals™ When: Friday, March 11, 2011 10am - 5pm Where: Herrick, Feinstein LLP, 2 Park Avenue, New York VLA is pleased to announce this intensive program, a modified version of VLA's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals, our signature educational program. This Bootcamp will cover the legal and business issues that affect individual artists of all arts disciplines and individuals within arts institutions. Sessions will include: - Intellectual Property
- Contract Essentials and Negotiation Skills
- For-Profit, Non-Profit, Fiscal Sponsorship Models
- Considerations for Documentary and Fact-Based Projects
Who Should Attend:
Individual artists of all arts disciplines and individuals within arts institutions. Cultural organizations, recently admitted attorneys, and other professionals who represent artists should also benefit from this program. (Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided)Note: There will be no registrations taken the day of the event. You must be registered before March 11, 2011 to attend this event. Speakers Include: VLA Staff Elena M. Paul, Esq.
Executive Director Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq.
Associate Director Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq.
Assistant Director of Legal Services Special Guests Amy J. Goldrich Esq.
Law Offices of Amy J. Goldrich Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.
The Arts and Entertainment Division Fettmann, Tolchin & Majors, PC. Peter Rienecker, Esq.
Vice President and Senior Counsel
Original Programming, HBO, Inc. Fees: Artists and Arts Organization Representatives
$149 Artists and Students
$250 Arts Organizations Lawyers
$325 All Lawyers
For our financial aid policy and application, please visit:
http://www.vlany.org/education/financialaid.php
* 7.0 CLE Credits Available, Professional Practice (Transitional: 3 Professional, 2 Skills, 2 Ethics) Due to the limited number of attendees, you must register for the program in advance and receive confirmation of your registration and location details from VLA. Registration fees are non-refundable. Space is limited. Please register early as the program tends to sell out. You will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the scheduled workshop. To register please fill out and return this registration form.
Questions? Call Ben Brandow at 212.319.2787 x14. .......................................................................................................... SAVE THE DATE:
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Forming your For-Profit Arts Business
When: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 4 - 6pm
Thursday, June 9, 2011, 4 - 6pm
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 jtodd@vlany.org
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VLA Membership
Law Firm and Corporate Members:
VLA has developed two new opportunities for attorneys and other legal professionals, that are now available ā 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
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 |
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. |
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 Muņoz 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's Legal & Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals is here!
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Thursday, June 16, 2011 303 Gallery 547 W 21st Street New York, NY 10011 To purchase tickets download this form. For more information contact VLA's Legal Fellow, Anna Kadyshevich via e-mail at akadyshevich@vlany.org or by phone at 212.319.2787 ext. 16
Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq., in Dallas, TX Texas Wesleyan School of Law presented the all-day panel, Art Law - Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask, on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The panel featured five speakers, including Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, on the following topics: Intellectual Property Rights, Employment Issues, Charitable Donations and Contracts. Thanks to the folks at Texas Wesleyan School of Law.
VLA in The Arts Map
Learn more about VLA services and programming.
Locate us here!
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 lndickens@vlany.org to receive more info on format and deadline. All inquiries to appear in our newsletter should be sent by March 11, 2011
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law present: FASHION POP-UP CLINIC™ Thursday, March 29, 2011, 3 - 7pm* This program, one-on-one 30 minute consultations with VLA staff and volunteer attorneys, is for members of the arts community working in fashion, including apparel and accessory designers, illustrators, photographers, make-up artists, designers of jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances and/or home products. You are invited to schedule a Fashion Pop-up Clinic™ appointment and there is no charge to attend, however, you must contact VLA to schedule a consultation at this special session. Schedule your appointment with Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq., at bbrandow@vlany.org or call 212.319.2787 x14 *Exact time and location will be provided with your confirmation to attend the Pop-Up Clinic™
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