..........................................................12/16/11..........................................................
Spring Internship Available at VLA!
Start Date: January 2012
Application Deadline: December 23, 2011
VLA seeks a spring term interns to work closely with the Associate Director on administrative and educational aspects of our programming, particularly the Art & Law Residency Program. Our Spring Internship Program requires a full semester commitment (approximately 15-weeks), with approx. 20-25 hours per week.
Students are highly encouraged to seek alternate funding as this internship is unpaid. Arrangements may also be made with the student's school for work/study stipends, and/or for accreditation. All arrangements regarding accreditation or pay must be handled by the student/intern.
This is a great opportunity for artists and/or students interested in pursuing law school or a career in nonprofit arts organizations.
..........................................................12/15/11..........................................................
42 Years Serving the New York's Arts Community!
Thanks to your support, VLA's programs and services have grown exponentially. It's our great pleasure to say that as VLA looks towards its 43rd year serving the New York arts community, we have just completed our most productive year ever.
Notably, last year we:
• Assisted over 10,000 members of the arts community seeking information and representation on legal and business matters.
• Placed 835 low-income individuals and nonprofit arts organizations with volunteer attorneys, an increase over the 792 placements made in FY09-10.
• With the support of the NY legal community, donated over 7 million dollars of pro bono legal services.
• Offered 196 educational programs to more than 6,000 individual artists, nonprofit arts organizations, law students, and attorneys.
Continue your support by making a one-time donation today!
..........................................................12/12/11..........................................................
VLA Winter Party 2011
VLA held its Winter Party 2011 at SculptureCenter on Thursday, December 8, hosting the opening reception for the Art & Law Residency Exhibition Notice of Public Hearing. Everyone at the party had a blast, from VLA's Board Members to New York's art lovers!
Here are some images of the party. We would like to thank SculptureCenter for hosting VLA!
VLA Winter Party 2011 at SculptureCenter.
VLA's Assistant Director of Legal Services, Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq., with VLA Board Member Peter R. Rienecker, Esq., VLA's Executive Director, Elena M. Paul, Esq., and former VLA Development Director Kelly Kozinski.
VLA Board Member Edward Copeland, Esq., and wife.
VLA's Assistant Director of Legal Services, Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq., testing Risa Puno's Good Faith & Fair Dealing, piece included in the Art & Law Residency Exhibition.
VLA's Dionissia Siozios and Staff Attorney Eric S. Tam, Esq., (middle) with friends.
Art & Law Residents 2011 group photo with Residency Faculty Elena M. Paul, Esq., Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq., and Residency Curator Caryn Coleman.
Law School for Visual Artists Fall 2011 alumni enjoying drinks at VLA Winter Party 2011
..........................................................11/07/11..........................................................
Notice of Public Hearing
Art & Law Residency Program Exhibition
NEW YORK —Please join us for the Art & Law Residency Exhibition, Notice of Public Hearing, which will take place at SculptureCenter in Long Island City, NY. The Residency Exhibition will highlight projects created during the 2011 Art & Law Residency Program. The projects engage issues of law in relation to property, land use, intellectual property, commodities, language, national security, risk, privacy, and criminality.
Exhibition
December 8 - December 21, 2011
Add this event to my calendar!
Opening Reception
Thursday, December 8, 2011
7 - 8:30pm
Artists
Lian Amaris
Michael Cataldi
Blane De St. Croix
Molly Dilworth
Carolyn Lambert
Graham Parker
Risa Puno
Woody Sullender
Alex Villar
SculptureCenter
4419 Purves Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
2 Subway stops from Manhattan:
E or M to Court Square
More info here or RSVP to Joni Todd at jtoddl@vlany.org
..........................................................10/20/11..........................................................
VLA Holiday Card Program 2011-12
Need the perfect holiday card to send out this winter? VLA can help!
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts proudly presents the Holiday Card Program 2011. The Program provides VLA's law firm and corporate members and supporters with access to unique images for use on annual holiday cards and e-cards. The program is part of VLA's ongoing efforts to serve the arts community, as well as to support and publicize VLA's mission and programs.
For more info and how to order click here!
..........................................................10/11/11..........................................................
Free CLE Mixer:
What's Happening at VLA and How to Get Involved
1 CLE Credit, Skills (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys)
Date and time:
Thursday, October 27, 2011, 6 - 7:30pm
Location:
VLA lobby, 1 East 53rd Street. New York
Free
RSVP required
If you're an attorney and have been wondering what's been happening over at VLA, what we're planning for the near future, and more importantly, how to get involved, this mixer is for you.
Come have a glass of wine or a cold beer and meet VLA's Associate Director, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento. Learn about VLA's legal services and pro bono opportunities, advocacy, and our groundbreaking educational programming while mingling with other attorneys.
This event is free. All you have to do is RSVP to Luis Nieto Dickens at lndickens@vlany.org by 3pm, Thursday, October 27th.
...........................................................9/29/11...........................................................
Need a document notarized?
VLA is now offering notary public services...FREE!
Got a document or contract that needs notarization?
Call us at 212.319.2787 ext. 1 or drop by VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 • Map it!
...........................................................9/21/11...........................................................
VLA is proud to present a new class:
Legal Issues in Choreography and Dance
When:
Thursday, October 20, 2011, 4 – 6pm
Where:
VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)
This class will provide an overview of the legal issues that affect non-profit and for-profit dance companies, individual creators, choreographers, and performers, such as dancers. Topics discussed include: business entity formation, intellectual property protection, rights of publicity, licensing, and labor and employment. This class will be taught by Elena M. Paul, Esq., VLA’s Executive Director. All registration fees are non-refundable.
More info here or download registration form
Sponsored by Dance Magazine and the Dance Films Association
...........................................................9/12/11...........................................................
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts files a brief amicus
curiaebr in support of artist Chapman Kelley
On August 24, 2011, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, along with artists Blane De St. Croix, Thomas Lawson, and Molly Dilworth, and in collaboration with the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Inc., filed a brief amicus curiae in support of Chapman Kelley's petition for a writ of certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Read entire story here.
...........................................................8/27/11...........................................................
Dear friends, VLA offices will be closed for an end-of-summer break starting Monday August 29 through Monday September 5, 2011. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday September 6, 2011. Thank you!
...........................................................8/25/11...........................................................
Art & Law Residency Symposium
Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq., Residency Program Director and Faculty opening the evening Art & Law Residency Symposium at Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York City.
The highlight of August was the Art & Law Residency Symposium.
The Art & Law Residency is an intellectual and artistic setting for eight visual artists and four writers to engage in ongoing debates that examine the overlap and disconnect between artistic production and the law from historical, social, ethical, and intellectual standpoints. At the Symposium, graciously hosted by Shearman & Sterling LLP, the writers in this year's program presented papers investigating the role intellectual property plays in the construction and dissemination of photography and video, and art as an alternative to traditional forms of justice and legal remedies. Respondent Ruben Verdu followed with his insights, and the evening ended with a thought provoking and rousing discussion with the audience and the writers. Thanks to the 2011 Residents for all their work and for a wonderful evening.
For more photos of the event, click here!
...........................................................8/11/11...........................................................
Law School for Visual Artists - Applications open!
October 5, 12, 19 and 26 and November 2, 2011
4pm to 6pm at VLA Auditorium
1 East 53rd Street, 6th floor, NY
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 Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq., VLA's Associate Director.
This class series is open to visual artists only, and includes class materials.
Visit the Law School for Visual Artists website: vlany.org/lawschool.php
Class series will take place on the following Wednesdays:
October 5, 12, 19 and 26 and November 2, 2011
All classes take place from 4-6pm, 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 to Luis Nieto Dickens at lndickens@vlany.org:
·Are you a visual artist? Y/N
·Full name
·E-mail address
·Artistic medium (film, video, sculpture, painting, drawing, etc.)
·Years of professional practice
·Resume, CV or artist website
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 September 26, 2011. Please do not contact us regarding your pending registration.
...........................................................8/8/11...........................................................
Art & Law Residency Program 2012
Applications now being accepted
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts solicits applications from professional visual artists, arts writers, and curators for its Art & Law Residency Program 2012.
Program dates: January 2012 through August 2012
Application deadline: Monday October 17, 2011
Notification: December 1, 2011
Learn more about the program and how to apply here
...........................................................8/4/11...........................................................
Art & Law Residency Program Presents:
Why is Guantánamo Still Open?A presentation by the Center for Constitutional Rights
Wednesday August 17, 2011, 6pm
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Free and open to the public, rsvp to lndickens@vlany.org
VLA's Art & Law Residency Program cordially invites you to join Shayana Kadidal, senior managing attorney of the Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative at the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) in New York City, for an insider's update on Guantánamo and a discussion about where the Center's work stands amidst the following developments:
·WikiLeaks' recent release of classified government documents on the Guantánamo detainees, and the sensationalized and often inaccurate reporting by some news media regarding the risk posed by the detainees.
·The Supreme Court's refusal to review Kiyemba v. Obama, CCR's case on behalf of the Uighur men detained at Guantánamo.
·The court's refusal to hear a case filed on behalf of released detainees who would like their names cleared.
·Obama's decision to try some defendants before the military commission system rather than civilian courts.
·CCR's upcoming efforts to challenge the U.S. government's indefinite detention scheme.
Hope to see you there!
Center for Constitutional Rights
..........................................................7/29/11..........................................................
VLA FALL 2011 TRUNK SHOW
When: Thursday, September 15, 2011, 6 - 8pm
Where: Proskauer Rose LLP. Eleven Times Square, New York, NY 10036
This networking event and curated Trunk Show features some of NYC's hottest fashion, accessory and apparel designers. We are happy to announce we have additional space for more designers who want to showcase their work!
If you are a fashion/jewelry/product designer or artist interested in being considered to participate, please apply by email to Elena M. Paul, Esq., at epaul@vlany.org and Luis Nieto Dickens at lndickens@vlany.org with the name of your business, a link to your website if any, and a short description of your business/merchandise. We will then review your application and let you know if you have been accepted as well as sending you additional details. Artists and Designers manage their own sales and there is no charge to participate.
If you know someone that would be interested in participating on this event feel free to forward this email.
If you are planning to attend this event, please make sure you RSVP to Luis Nieto Dickens at lndickens@vlany.org.
..........................................................7/27/11..........................................................
When: Wednesday, August 3, 2011, 12 - 5pm
Where: VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Open to the public, limited seating, RSVP required.
Our 2011 Summer Associates have worked hard for three months at our VLA office offering legal assistance, writing memos, drafting agreements and keeping the organization running. The time has come for them to present what they have learned. Come and support these soon-to-be lawyers as they share a bit of their VLA experience. Let's have fun!
The Summer Associates will present on the following topics:
12-1pm: Visual Artists Rights Act, Sasha Herzig
1-2pm: Free speech, Stephanie Hunter
2-3pm: Trademarks, Jessica Lazzara
3-4pm: Consignment Agreements, Amy Zelcer
4-5pm: Copyrights, Sam Griffel
Please RSVP to: lndickens@vlany.org
..........................................................7/20/11..........................................................
Art & Law Residency Website redesigned!
Our Art & Law Residency website needed a little face-lift, so we took some time to make it better! Check it out and let us know what you think! http://vlany.org/residency.html
While you're at it, RSVP to the Art & Law Residency Symposium on August 24!
..........................................................7/14/11..........................................................
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
(click on image for full size)
VLA Latest News:
This year Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) offered 196 educational programs to more than 6,000 individual artists, non-profit arts organizations, law students, and attorneys. VLA entered its fifth decade by expanding services to address the legal and business needs of an arts community working in an economic and cultural landscape that continues to change dramatically. VLA continued its traditional legal services and the original, highly-regarded programs offered by its Education Department. We also continue to provide a number of major initiatives, including the Art & Law Residency, the VLA Law School for Visual Artists and the brand new program Fashion Law for Lawyers.
...........................................................7/7/11...........................................................
Art & Law Residency Symposium
The Symposium
The Art & Law Residency provides an intellectual and artistic setting for eight visual artists and four writers to engage in ongoing 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 art and critical writing will come into being through the Residency. The four writers in this year's program will present papers investigating the role intellectual property plays in the construction and dissemination of photography and video, the legal issues affecting new models of artistic funding, and art as an alternative to traditional forms of justice and legal remedies.
When: Wednesday August 24, 2011, 6 - 9pm
Add this event to my calendar!
Where: Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
RSVP required to: lndickens@vlany.org
Writers:
Mazie M. Harris
“The phantasmagoria of inventions passes rapidly before us”: Litigating Photography as Intellectual Property
Lián Amaris Sifuentes
Art Beyond the Centerfold: Copyright, Cultural Restriction, and Playboy
Tracy Zwick
Case Study: Doris Salcedo
The Convergence of Art and Law in the Construction of Justice
Respondent:
Ruben Verdu
Artist
Ruben Verdu received his BFA in 1993 from the University of Texas at El Paso. He, then, moved to Los Angeles to attend the graduate program at the California Institute for The Arts. In 1995, after receiving a master of Fine Arts from CalArts, he moved to New York to attend, invited by the Whitney Museum of American Art, their Independent Studio Program. While in New York he showed his work in the US, Mexico, Japan and Europe. He remained in the United States until 2001 when he decided to move to Barcelona, Spain, where he now lives and works. He has just finished his participation at the residency program Hangar in Barcelona, and has been recently awarded a BCN Producció award from the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona to present Solvitur Ambulando, a major exhibition of works. For more information on Verdu's work, please visit his artist website peepingmonster.com or view his work at Hangar.com.
Visit the Art & Law Residency Website here
..........................................................6/20/11..........................................................
VLA Summer Benefit 2011
Our 2011 Summer Benefit was held at 303 Gallery in Chelsea on Thursday, June 16. We would like to thank all our friends and partners who joined us, we had a blast! The evening jumpstarted with some spanish guitar and great drinks thanks to Tito's Vodka.
VLA proudly presented The 2011 S. Jeanne Hall Pro Bono Sevice Awards to:
Barbara Kolsun, Esq.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
In addition, we awarded two of our great VLA staff members:
Dena Bouchard, Esq., VLA Legal Fellow
Anna Kadyshevich, Esq., VLA Legal Fellow
Here are some photographs of the evening!
Above: VLA Chairman of the Board, David Leichtman, Esq., and VLA Board Member,
Laura S. Friedrich, Esq.
Above: VLA Board Member, Gary Glaser, Esq., and wife Lorraine Glaser on the far right, with
Seyfarth Shaw LLP Summer Associates.
Above: VLA Summer Benefit 2011 at a crowded 303 Gallery in Chelsea.
Above: VLA Chairman Emeritus, Peter R. Stern, Esq., with VLA Associate Director, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq.
Above: Award ceremony; VLA Legal Fellows Dena Bouchard, Esq., and Anna Kadyshevich, Esq., with VLA Associate Director, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq. and VLA Executive Director, Elena M. Paul, Esq., and Barbara Kolsun, Esq., the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Stuart Weitzman, LLC.
Above: VLA Associate Director, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, Esq., with Hrag Vartanian from Hyperallergic
Thanks to all for coming and get ready for our Fall Benefit 2011!
..........................................................6/20/11..........................................................
Artist Residencies & Conflict Areas
Panel discussions
When: Friday June 24, 2011 7 - 9pm and Saturday June 25, 12 - 4pm
Where: Goethe-Institut Wyoming Building
VLA's Associate Director, Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento, will be on an arts panel on Friday, June 24th, at the Goethe Institute in New York City. The panel, Artist Residencies & Conflict Areas, organized by Residency Unlimited, engages artists, independent arts organizations, residency programmers, and community initiatives on specific areas and conceptions of conflict. Issues for discussion will include mobility, community outreach, and exchange of knowledge through the broadly-interpreted artist residency model.
Sergio will be speaking specifically about the impetus behind and origin of VLAs Art & Law Residency Program, and how it differs from and mirrors past and current artist residencies.
Info:
Panel discussions
06/24/11 - 06/25/11
Goethe-Institut Wyoming Building
5 East 3rd Street
New York, NY 10003
Free admission
Tel.: +1 (212) 439-8700
More detailed info here
..........................................................6/17/11..........................................................
We just launched the newest program at VLA:
Fashion Law for Lawyers: Reading, Writing and Representation
Learn more about this program by visiting the new website!
..........................................................5/27/11..........................................................
From NYFA Blog
VLA's Associate Director talks to New York Foundation for the Arts about copyright, the Visual Artists Rights Act, and artists' rights. Read full article.
..........................................................4/28/11..........................................................
From PR Newswire:
VLA Case update: "Upstate New York Artist Achieves First Amendment Victory After Village Agrees to Repeal Ban on Public Art." Read full article on the victory of Melanie Gold against the Village of Greenwood Lake on the battle for free speech rights.
From The New York Times:
Previous story: February 16, 2011:
NY Times features artist Melanie Gold in her battle for free speech rights. Click here for full article.
From Off Broadway:
Congratulations to Gary Glaser, Esq., VLA board member, on the 2011 Lortel Award! Here's his interview by Off-Broadway.com
From The Wall Street Journal:
Read the latest news on the MTA dispute with East Village's artist Victoria McKenzie: "MTA Says Artist on Wrong Track."