Lawyers for the Creative Arts

🎨✨ As we gear up for our annual spring event this evening, we're taking a moment to appreciate the profound impact of the arts in our community. From 2019-2023, the NEA has distributed $27.2 million to Illinois organizations, contributing to an arts and cultural sector that added $36.1 billion to the state’s economy and employed 216,227 workers in 2022 alone. The benefits of arts education, supported by research from the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts Action Fund, are clear: better GPAs, improved test scores, and lower dropout rates for students. Arts participation fosters social and emotional learning, helping students regulate emotions and develop compassion. It also aids in processing trauma, promoting healing and resilience. Older adults benefit too, with frequent arts participation linked to positive health outcomes. Creative arts therapies and arts-in-health programs not only address specific conditions but also enhance the quality of life for patients and caregivers. In 2023, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) introduced the Chicago Arts & Health Pilot program, aimed at building resilient healthy communities and nurturing support for the arts. Additionally, 2023 saw over 60 new public art projects, Chicago’s collection of public artworks now exceeds 500 pieces, enriching our public spaces with professional art. The film industry in Illinois also thrived in 2023, with $700 million in film expenditures, with over 90% driven by Chicago, supported by the Chicago Film Office. The Chicago Jazz Festival saw record attendance with 170,000 visitors, and the Gospel Music Festival tripled its attendance to 9,500 guests. Events like SummerDance, the World Music Festival, and the Taste of Chicago drew thousands, showcasing the vitality of our local arts scene. At Lawyers for the Creative Arts, we believe that arts and culture are essential. They provide health, innovation, growth, and community vitality showcasing the essence, diversity, and beauty of our state. Let's continue to support and celebrate the arts! 🎭🌟 Donate: https://zurl.co/4g0Z #SupportTheArts #ArtsMatter #CommunityImpact

🚨 Filed Your Trademark Application, But Hit With an Office Action? Don’t Panic! 🚨 Trademarking is a crucial step in protecting your brand, but running into an Office Action can feel daunting. Check out our latest #blog post by LCA Associate Board Vice President Thomas Kliebhan of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP and learn how to tackle common Office Actions and why consulting with a trademark attorney might be your best move. Protect your creative work with confidence! 📝 [https://zurl.co/NbXo] #Trademark #LegalHelp #CreativeProtection #IntellectualProperty #LawyersfortheCreativeArts

🎨💼 Interested in learning more about Fiscal Sponsorship? Join us for an insightful workshop where attorneys from Chapman and Cutler LLP will break down the Basics of Fiscal Sponsorship! Get clarity on what it is, what it isn’t, and how to establish a solid agreement between project planners and nonprofits. #FiscalSponsorship #Nonprofit #ArtsFunding #ChicagoArts #LCA Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) https://zurl.co/RFS8

"Many artists struggle to access legal support due to financial constraints, and that’s where LCA steps in, transforming lives with its invaluable services. By offering pro bono legal aid, LCA empowers artists to protect their creative endeavors and confidently navigate legal challenges. From my experience working with LCA clients, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that access to legal support can make. LCA’s commitment to supporting artists, regardless of their financial means, underscores its unique value and impact on the arts community. " Hailing from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Sarah Cullen has been yet another wonderful intern. Read her full profile to learn about her background and approach to the law. Thank you Sarah! #LCA #Interns #InternsRock #VLA https://zurl.co/kwtR

📸✨ Calling all #photographers! 🌟 🌍 Celebrate World Photography Day with us on August 8 at 2 p.m. ET! We're excited to co-host a FREE webinar with the Copyright Alliance titled "Photographers’ Rights: Navigating Copyright Realities." Learn how to protect your work, enforce your rights against online infringement, and explore hot-topic issues like the impact of #AI on photography. Gain insights from industry leaders and secure your spot today! Register now: https://zurl.co/FVRM #Photography #Copyright #PhotographersRights

🎨Nonprofit Governance - Boards & Staff 📚 Embark on a journey into the realm of nonprofit compliance with Lawyers for the Creative Arts! 🌟 📅 Date: Aug 6th 🕒 Time: 9:30AM - 11:00AM 📝Register: https://zurl.co/WpIo 🔍 What's in Store: ✅ Learning about best practices, requirements for nonprofit board of directors, and engagement with staff. 👥 Ideal for arts nonprofit managers, staff, and board members, this monthly learning and networking space is designed to cater to your needs. Whether you're interested in one program, the entire series, or something in between, all are welcome! Secure your spot to navigate the intricacies of nonprofit compliance! 🚀📑 #NonprofitComplianceSeries #ArtsNonprofit #LCAEvents #LegalLearningSpace

"My favorite moments have been recently speaking with South Asian artists, as that is a niche and subset of artists overall. Having the opportunity to speak with them, relate to them, and contribute to getting their legal needs addressed has been very rewarding. " Hailing from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Karan Kaushal has been yet another wonderful intern. Read his full profile to learn about his background and approach to the law. Thank you Karan! #LCA #Interns #InternsRock #VLA https://zurl.co/zCeo

"This experience has definitely opened my eyes to the vast variety of legal issues artists deal with." Hailing from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Francesca Zepeda has been yet another wonderful intern. Read her full profile to learn about her background in theater and her approach to the law. Thank you Francesca! #LCA #Interns #InternsRock #VLA https://zurl.co/QQ4I

📸✨ Calling all #photographers! 🌟 🌍 Celebrate World Photography Day with us on August 8 at 2 p.m. ET! We're excited to co-host a FREE webinar with the Copyright Alliance titled "Photographers’ Rights: Navigating Copyright Realities." Learn how to protect your work, enforce your rights against online infringement, and explore hot-topic issues like the impact of #AI on photography. Gain insights from industry leaders and secure your spot today! Register now: https://zurl.co/FVRM #Photography #Copyright #PhotographersRights

✨ Nonprofit Start-up Workshop🏢 Embarking on the journey of launching a nonprofit organization? Join our Nonprofit Start-up Workshop, where we guide you through the legal and business intricacies you'll encounter in establishing your new venture. 📅 Save the Dates: Wednesday, July 17th: 1:00 - 5:00 PM Thursday, October 10th: 5:00 - 9:00 PM https://zurl.co/w4Z4 🔍 What to Expect: ✅ Incorporation Insights: Reasons to incorporate and reasons not to Alternatives that can work for you Completing necessary forms, bylaws, articles of incorporation, and more ✅ Best Practices for Nonprofit Start-ups: Basics of budgeting, projecting revenues and costs Strategies for effective fundraising Governance essentials: directors' meetings, officers' positions, and more ✅ Tax Exempt Status Demystified: Reasons for federal tax exempt status, considerations for alternatives How to maintain your tax exemption Filing for 501(c)(3) Status: Line-by-line instructions for tax exemption applications Secure your spot to empower your nonprofit journey! 🌟📑 #NonprofitStartup #LegalGuidance #BusinessEssentials #LCAWorkshop