|
Greetings!
Current weather notwithstanding, it's spring time here at VLA, and we are celebrating by offering some more great classes and events this month!
Graciously hosted by Sherman & Sterling LLP, VLA's second Trunk Show event showcased the talents of some of New York City's hottest fashion, accessory, and apparel designers. With a great crowd, good music, and beautiful goods for sale, the Trunk Show was a great success. We look forward to another VLA Trunk Show in the future. Our trademark Legal and Business Bootcamp for Arts Professionals was also a great success. Attorneys and Artists came together for a full day of talks about contracts, intellectual property, and other legal issues artists face. It was an informative and interesting day where a lot was learned! We would like to thank Harrick, Feinstein LLP for graciously donating their space, time, and delicious breakfast and lunch.
If you're already planning your summer parties, definitely pencil-in our
Summer Benefit to be held on Thursday, June 16. Join us for unique hors d' oeuvres and cocktails at 303 Gallery in Chelsea. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please scroll down for more information and registration form to this event.
Elena M. Paul, executive director, will speak at New York Law School on Fashion Law, and on April 7th she will give a talk on Legal Issues for Screenwriters at NYU's Tisch School. On April 12th, our Associate Director, Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento will participate on a panel on street art at NYU Law School, and on April 15th he will also speak to the Yale Political Union on art and free speech. And these are just some of the interesting talks our directors will be presenting.
Finally, we are gearing up for our first Intellectual Property Licensing
Workshop, to be held on May 26th. The full day event will discuss Trademark Licensing, with a focus on fashion and cultural/arts organizations; Copyright Licensing, with a focus on music, film and visual arts; and Personal & Product Endorsements with a focus on actors, athletes and models. Check out our website for more information.
VLA Staff
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
|
|
VLA Summer Benefit 2011 Thursday June 16, 2011, 6-8p.m. at 303 Gallery Please join us for hors d' oeuvres and cocktails at 303 Gallery. This year's Summer Benefit will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011, 6-8p.m. at 303 Gallery, with live music provided by Bounce Music and Entertainment ............................................................................................................. Presenting: THE 2011 S. JEANNE HALL PRO BONO SERVICE AWARDS Barbara Kolsun, Esq. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Herrick, Feinstein LLP Proskauer Rose LLP Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP ............................................................................................................. 303 Gallery 547 W 21st Street New York, NY 10011 To purchase tickets to our Summer Benefit, please download this form. For more information, please contact Joni Todd via e-mail at jtodd@vlany.org or by phone at 212.319.2787 ext. 10 
|
VLA 2011 Trunk Show On Thursday night, March 24, VLA and the New York arts & fashion community gathered at Shearman & Sterling LLP, where the second VLA 2011 Trunk Show took place. More than a dozen New York designers and artists exhibited their work. Drinks and music set the mood for this event organized by your friends at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Stay tuned for the next Trunk Show!  Trunk Show at Shearman & Sterling LLP  Prima Zaria at the Trunk Show. Image courtesy of Stella Chang. VLA Trunk Show 2011 Designers: Download the Trunk Show 2011 poster here |
Images from left to right: All That is Solid Melts into Air, 2009. Blindsight, Owl, 2008. Archival pigment prints.
Featured Artists of the Month
Robyn Voshardt / Sven Humphrey
Robyn Voshardt / Sven Humphrey explore states of being, temporal records, and cognitive patterns on personal, social, and institutional levels. They intend to create a pause for a contradictory experience: intimately inside one's head yet a universal thought, requiring patience yet timeless, about that moment but lingering in an afterimage. The artists have collaborated on photo, video, and print projects since meeting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
New & Improved, 2007, still from video.
Their photographs are now on view in FUNCTION at Ligne Roset, 250 Park Ave S at 20th Street, through May 20th. Video screening in May on the Big Screen Project at the Eventi Hotel, 29th Street off 6th Ave.
Both events curated by Culturehall.
Past exhibitions include: Venice Videoart Fair, Italy; Arteleku & KM Kulturunea at MID_E, Spain; Directors Lounge, Berlin; Aurora Picture Show, Houston; SPACES, Cleveland; Vernacular Terrain, Australia; Greene Contemporary NY; Tampa Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and Bleu Acier in Florida.
voshardthumphrey.com |
Drafting From the Left Side of the Brain: Drawing for Lawyers
When: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Where: Paley Park (next to 1 East 53rd Street. Look for the waterfall)
Time: 11am - 2pm (but you can leave when you want)
Fee: Free
Lawyers spend too much time using the left-side of their brain and hardly tap into their creative right-side. With this in mind, I've decided to create a drawing class strictly for lawyers. Whether you're a novice or experienced draftsperson, I encourage you to put down that summary judgment brief and pick up a drawing pad and pencil and let that artist out.
No CLE credit, no statutes (although perhaps a statue or two), and no partners breathing down your back. Just you and a group of like-minded attorneys interested in expressing themselves through drawing and two artists hanging out with you teaching you how to "see" and draw. This will be an ongoing series, and depending on interest and energy we may meet in different locations around the city, both indoors and outdoors.
-Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento
This class will be led by Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento and Luis Nieto Dickens. To sign-up for this free class, please rsvp to sergio_sarmiento@clancco.com. Please include name, law firm affiliation, e-mail address, and years in professional practice. This class is limited to 15 attorneys, so please notify me if you will not be able to attend.
For more information, or if you have questions, please contact Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento at sergio_sarmiento@clancco.com.
Required Materials:
1· 11 x 14 drawing pad, 50 sheets, 70 lb. paper (approx $7)
2· 1 Eraser, Staedtler (approx $1)
3· 2- 2B pencil (what you have in law firm conference rooms) (free)
4· 2-Black ink pen (Pilot, Uni-Ball) (approx $1)
All of these materials can be purchased at any art store, such as Pearl Art & Craft; Blick Art Materials; and Ultrecht Art Supply.
This free class is part of Clancco.com's Art School for Lawyers™ series, and is co-sponsored by Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. |
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
..........................................................................................................
Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status Workshop
When: 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. .......................................................................................................... New Volunteer Attorney Orientation When: Monday, April 11, 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 212·319·2787, ext. 14 or at bbrandow@vlany.org. .......................................................................................................... SAVE THE DATE:
..........................................................................................................
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 .......................................................................................................... Legal Issues in FilmWhen: Thursday, May 19, 2011 4 - 6pm
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 at jtodd@vlany.org
..........................................................................................................
Understanding the Intellectual Property License: Fashion, Arts, Entertainment & Sports When: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 10am - 5pm
Where: TBA
VLA is pleased to announce a new course about the legal and business aspects of licensing intellectual property in fashion, arts, entertainment and sports. Licensing offers valuable economic and strategic opportunities. Virtually every creator as well as arts and cultural organization today is faced with licensing opportunities both as the owner (licensor) and potential licensee of intellectual property. Understanding licensing has never been more important for these individuals, organizations and their counsel. This workshop will give an overview of, and tips for, negotiating and drafting effective license agreements to address the common concerns and meet the goals of both licensors and licensees. Various issues arising out of contractual arrangements will be addressed from the perspective of both parties. Our panels will be structured around the types of assets being licensed (trademarks, copyrights, etc) and will focus on the type of clients/ arts businesses who typically license these assets.
Licensing Panels:
Trademark: Focus on Fashion and Cultural/Arts Organizations
Copyright: Focus on Music, Film and Visual Arts
Personal & Product Endorsement: Focus on Actors, Athletes and Models
Q&A: Negotiating Strategies, Current Trends and Seminal Cases
Panelists:
Michael Colosi, Esq.
General Counsel of Kenneth Cole
Matthew T. Kaplan, Esq.
Music and Entertainment Law Attorney
Barbara Kolsun, Esq.
General Counsel of Stuart Weitzman, LLC
Andy Lee, Esq.
Principal of ALL Counsel & Consulting
Former General Counsel, New York Jets
Jason Nardiello, Esq.
General Counsel of Stuart Weitzman, LLC
Elena M. Paul, Esq.
Executive Director of VLA
Joseph D. Penachio, Esq.
Grubman Indursky & Shire, P.C.
Eric Shaw
Vice President, Music Resources, EMI Music Publishing
Fees:
Artists, Arts Organization Representatives, and Full-time Students
$150 Artists and Arts Organizations
$75 Full-time Students
Lawyers
$399 Attorneys
*6.0 CLE Credits Available (3 Professional Practice, 3 Skills) Transitional and non-transitional credits (newly admitted attorneys qualify).
**All You Can Learn Pass Holders
$35 Full-time Students
$125 Artists and Arts Organizations
$299 Attorneys
Note: You must register before 2pm on May 25, 2011 to attend this event. No late registrations accepted.
To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Anna Kadyshevich at 212.319.2787 x16
CLE Financial Hardship Policy: Full and partial scholarships to attend VLA's Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs are available to attorneys with demonstrated financial hardship. For more information on our policy and requirements, please view http://www.vlany.org/education/financialaid.php, or call Ben Brandow at 212.319.2787 x14.
.......................................................................................................... Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Friends of the FCI Presents: Starting Your Culinary Business
When: Tuesday, June 14, 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 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
|
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: ATTORNEYS ONLY
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
|
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.
|
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.
  
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Artist of the Month April 2011: Robyn Voshardt Sven Humphrey Image above: Broken Pattern (o1-17202), 2009, archival pigment print voshardthumphrey.com ....................................................... 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 April 11, 2011
Law School for Visual Artists website is now live!
VLA in The Arts Map
Learn more about VLA services and programming.
Locate us here!
|
|
