Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Founded in 1969, VLA is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations (ACOs). VLA strives to protect the artistic community's livelihoods, businesses, and creative works through access to dedicated legal representation and focused innovative education programs. To achieve this mission, VLA:

  • facilitates pro bono legal representation for low-income artists and ACOs;
  • offers legal counseling, education programs, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution services to the entire arts community;
  • trains lawyers to better serve the arts community; and
  • advocates on behalf of artists to ensure their voices are heard.

VLA helps artists navigate legal challenges that can arise out of their work, providing crucial legal guidance that allows artists to focus on their creative practices. In doing so, VLA has fostered the careers of talented artists such as Twyla Tharp, Chapman Roberts, and Tony Kushner and advanced impactful New York organizations including BalletNext, the Caribbean Cultural Center, and Nuyorican Poets Café. Each year, VLA offers legal representation, education, and information to more than 10,000 low-income artists and ACOs and facilitates the contribution of more than $20 million in free legal services. The breadth and depth of high-quality services offered by VLA have made it the model for similar organizations across the country and around the world.

Upcoming (16)

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE) primary image

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE)

Tuesday • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

US Immigration Options for Artists primary image

US Immigration Options for Artists

Tue, Apr 9 • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios primary image

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios

Thu, Apr 11 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Music Rights for Content Creators primary image

Music Rights for Content Creators

Mon, Apr 15 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Apr 17 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity primary image

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity

Thu, Apr 18 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE) primary image

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE)

Thu, Apr 18 • 1:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Film primary image

Legal Issues in Film

Fri, Apr 19 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers primary image

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers

Mon, Apr 22 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Litigation in the Music Industry primary image

Litigation in the Music Industry

Wed, Apr 24 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, May 15 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jun 12 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE) primary image

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE)

Tuesday • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

US Immigration Options for Artists primary image

US Immigration Options for Artists

Tue, Apr 9 • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios primary image

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios

Thu, Apr 11 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Music Rights for Content Creators primary image

Music Rights for Content Creators

Mon, Apr 15 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Apr 17 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity primary image

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity

Thu, Apr 18 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE) primary image

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE)

Thu, Apr 18 • 1:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Film primary image

Legal Issues in Film

Fri, Apr 19 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers primary image

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers

Mon, Apr 22 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Litigation in the Music Industry primary image

Litigation in the Music Industry

Wed, Apr 24 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, May 15 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jun 12 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Past (454)

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE) primary image

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE)

Mon, Mar 18 • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Mar 13 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Tue, Feb 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE) primary image

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE)

Thu, Feb 8 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash) primary image

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash)

Tue, Jan 30 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management primary image

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management

Tue, Jan 23 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jan 10 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE) primary image

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE)

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series primary image

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Dec 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking primary image

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking

Thu, Dec 7 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Music Recording primary image

Legal Issues in Music Recording

Mon, Dec 4 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE) primary image

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE)

Mon, Mar 18 • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Mar 13 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Tue, Feb 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE) primary image

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE)

Thu, Feb 8 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash) primary image

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash)

Tue, Jan 30 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management primary image

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management

Tue, Jan 23 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jan 10 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE) primary image

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE)

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series primary image

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Dec 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking primary image

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking

Thu, Dec 7 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Music Recording primary image

Legal Issues in Music Recording

Mon, Dec 4 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Founded in 1969, VLA is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations (ACOs). VLA strives to protect the artistic community's livelihoods, businesses, and creative works through access to dedicated legal representation and focused innovative education programs. To achieve this mission, VLA:

  • facilitates pro bono legal representation for low-income artists and ACOs;
  • offers legal counseling, education programs, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution services to the entire arts community;
  • trains lawyers to better serve the arts community; and
  • advocates on behalf of artists to ensure their voices are heard.

VLA helps artists navigate legal challenges that can arise out of their work, providing crucial legal guidance that allows artists to focus on their creative practices. In doing so, VLA has fostered the careers of talented artists such as Twyla Tharp, Chapman Roberts, and Tony Kushner and advanced impactful New York organizations including BalletNext, the Caribbean Cultural Center, and Nuyorican Poets Café. Each year, VLA offers legal representation, education, and information to more than 10,000 low-income artists and ACOs and facilitates the contribution of more than $20 million in free legal services. The breadth and depth of high-quality services offered by VLA have made it the model for similar organizations across the country and around the world.

Events

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE) primary image

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE)

Tuesday • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

US Immigration Options for Artists primary image

US Immigration Options for Artists

Tue, Apr 9 • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios primary image

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios

Thu, Apr 11 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Music Rights for Content Creators primary image

Music Rights for Content Creators

Mon, Apr 15 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Apr 17 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity primary image

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity

Thu, Apr 18 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE) primary image

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE)

Thu, Apr 18 • 1:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Film primary image

Legal Issues in Film

Fri, Apr 19 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers primary image

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers

Mon, Apr 22 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Litigation in the Music Industry primary image

Litigation in the Music Industry

Wed, Apr 24 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, May 15 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jun 12 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE) primary image

Securing Your Artistic Future: Estate Planning Essentials with Q&A (CLE)

Tuesday • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

US Immigration Options for Artists primary image

US Immigration Options for Artists

Tue, Apr 9 • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios primary image

Legal Issues in Visual Arts Portfolios

Thu, Apr 11 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Music Rights for Content Creators primary image

Music Rights for Content Creators

Mon, Apr 15 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Apr 17 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity primary image

Protecting Your Persona: New York Right of Publicity

Thu, Apr 18 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE) primary image

Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Your Independent Film (CLE)

Thu, Apr 18 • 1:30 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Film primary image

Legal Issues in Film

Fri, Apr 19 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers primary image

Fashioning the Law: Legal Essentials for Fashion Designers

Mon, Apr 22 • 1:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Litigation in the Music Industry primary image

Litigation in the Music Industry

Wed, Apr 24 • 12:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, May 15 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jun 12 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE) primary image

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE)

Mon, Mar 18 • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Mar 13 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Tue, Feb 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE) primary image

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE)

Thu, Feb 8 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash) primary image

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash)

Tue, Jan 30 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management primary image

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management

Tue, Jan 23 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jan 10 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE) primary image

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE)

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series primary image

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Dec 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking primary image

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking

Thu, Dec 7 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Music Recording primary image

Legal Issues in Music Recording

Mon, Dec 4 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE) primary image

Theater & Entertainment Law: Broadway's Legal Issues (CLE)

Mon, Mar 18 • 5:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Mar 13 • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Tue, Feb 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE) primary image

Copyright 101: Current Answers to Deceptively Simple Legal Questions (CLE)

Thu, Feb 8 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash) primary image

Business of Art: ABCs of Business Finance (Accounting, Budgeting, & Cash)

Tue, Jan 30 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management primary image

Business of Art: Essential Contracts in Relationship Management

Tue, Jan 23 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Jan 10 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE) primary image

Business of Art: How to Start a Business (CLE)

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series primary image

The Business of Art: Three-Part Workshop Series

Tue, Jan 9 • 5:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE) primary image

Forming a Non-Profit Workshop (CLE)

Wed, Dec 13 • 2:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking primary image

Legal Issues in Documentary Filmmaking

Thu, Dec 7 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Legal Issues in Music Recording primary image

Legal Issues in Music Recording

Mon, Dec 4 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event