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Law School for Visual Artists is back! Starting in March, register now!

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Law School for Visual Artists The popular 5-week lecture series for visual artists offered only by VLA! More info and how to register here!

VLA Valentine's Party Thursday, February 9, 6 - 8pm at our lobby. More info here!

AskTheLawyer.info Basic and pertinent legal information to arts and legal professionals.
Need help? Visit AskTheLawyer.info here!

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UPCOMING CLASSES & COURSES / SEE OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR HERE
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VLA's All You Can Learn Pass

VLA proudly announces a new way to enjoy VLA's many diverse class offerings through our All You Can Learn Pass.**

Artists, arts administrators, lawyers, and students may purchase a 1-year All You Can Learn Pass which will grant them access to as many VLA classes as they would like to attend within one year of purchase. Once you purchase a 1-year Pass, you need only submit a registration form for the class you would like to attend, stating you are a All You Can Learn Pass holder and that's it. You're all set. Take as many classes as you'd like and as many times as you'd like. It's that simple.

Learn about copyright, trademarks, contracts, licensing, for-profits, non-profits, and how they relate to music, film, fashion, art, dance, theater, and writing. All you can learn for one year!

**Excludes VLA's Annual Career Panel; Law School for Visual Artists; Mediation and Negotiation Training; Mark Litwak's Self-Defense and Risky Business Film classes and Legal & Business Bootcamp. Pass holders will enjoy 20% to 30% discounts to these five events.

1-Year All You Can Learn Pass Fees:
$75 Students
$125 Artists/Arts Administrators
$499 Attorneys (includes many CLE classes and discounts on other CLE programs)

To obtain VLA's All You Can Learn Pass, please download the form here. For more information on this program, please contact VLA's Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x 10

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Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Friends of the FCI Present:
Starting Your Culinary Business

When: Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 4:30 - 7pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, 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.

More info here or download registration form

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FASHION POP-UP CLINIC

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 2 - 5pm
Where: Proskauer Rose LLP
Eleven Times Square (41st Street & Eighth Avenue)
New York, NY 10036 • Map it!
 
This program of private, one-on-one, 50-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.
 
Please email Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq., VLA's Director of Legal Services, at bbrandow@vlany.org to request an appointment. Please include your full name, phone number, a description of your legal issue or question (no more than three lines), and the full name of any other parties involved. You must receive a confirmation via phone or reply email in order to attend this Clinic. VLA will do our best to schedule you at the time of your choice on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

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Forming Your For-Profit Arts Business

When: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 4 - 6pm
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022

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.

More info here or download registration form

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VLA Valentine's Party & Exclusive Trunk Show

Thursday, February 9, 2012
6 - 8pm
One East 53rd Street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY • Map it!

Since “love is in the air” is out of style and overused, we are throwing a party to celebrate how amazing we are, so if you’re feeling amazing too, come join us for fashion, music and drinks!
And if you spare some love, we’ll have a talented group of artists and designers showcasing their work, so you’ll find the perfect gift for your beloved one!

Artists/Designers: Tirana Jewelry, Gabriel J. Shuldiner Jewelry, Michelle Han and more!

Free and open to the public, you don’t even need to RSVP!

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Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exemption Workshop

When: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 2 - 5:30 pm
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022

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. This workshop will also touch on the legal and ethical duties for board members; donor requirements; the new Form 990; intellectual property issues specific to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations; insurance; and employment issues. The Fiscal Sponsorship model will be addressed as an alternative to forming a non-profit organization.

More info here or download registration form

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Legal Issues in Film

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 4 - 6:30pm
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022

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 programs 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.

More info here or download registration form

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Young Associate Members (YAM's)

VLA’s Young Associate Membership (YAM’s) is a membership category exclusively for young lawyers and arts professionals generally in their 1st – 4th years of practice and career. Young Associate Members support VLA’s mission of providing legal, education and business services to New York’s art community and offers exclusive access to resources in New York’s cultural scene. YAM’s will receive invitations to a variety of events hosted by VLA and 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 collector.

Here are some of the benefits of YAM membership:

• Invitations to opening cocktail receptions for select art events
• Visits to the studios of emerging and contemporary artists
• Curator lead gallery walks around the city
• Invitations to the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) events and parties
• Advance and discount tickets to VLA Benefits
• All individual level general member benefits
• Free or discounted CLE classes for lawyers
• Discounted career counseling sessions

Download membership form here

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Click on each link to view description:

VLA's All You Can Learn Pass

VLA's All You Can Learn Pass

VLA proudly announces a new way to enjoy VLA's many diverse class offerings through our All You Can Learn Pass.**

Artists, arts administrators, lawyers, and students may purchase a 1-year All You Can Learn Pass which will grant them access to as many VLA classes as they would like to attend within one year of purchase. Once you purchase a 1-year Pass, you need only submit a registration form for the class you would like to attend, stating you are a All You Can Learn Pass holder and that's it. You're all set. Take as many classes as you'd like and as many times as you'd like. It's that simple.

Learn about copyright, trademarks, contracts, licensing, for-profits, non-profits, and how they relate to music, film, fashion, art, dance, theater, and writing. All you can learn for one year!

**Excludes VLA's Annual Career Panel; Law School for Visual Artists; Mediation and Negotiation Training; Mark Litwak's Self-Defense and Risky Business Film classes and Legal & Business Bootcamp. Pass holders will enjoy 20% to 30% discounts to these five events.

1-Year All You Can Learn Pass Fees:

Students: $49
Artists/Arts Administrators: $99
Attorneys: $499 (includes all CLE classes)

To obtain VLA's All You Can Learn Pass, please download the form here. For more information on this program, please contact VLA's Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x 10

 

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Deferred Associate Attorney Position 2010-2011

Start Date: Immediately

Deferred Associate Attorney: Participate in advising and representing low-income artists and arts organizations, educational programs and advocacy matters. Applicant must be eligible to receive deferred compensation from her/his hiring law firm. Must be admitted to New York State Bar or have New York State Bar Admission pending. For more information and application information, please view our Jobs and Internships webpage here.

 

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