Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations. VLA strives to protect the artistic community’s livelihoods, businesses, and creative works through access to dedicated legal representation and focused education programs.

VLA provides legal services to the arts community in every discipline, including: acting, animation, architectural design, bookmaking, choreography, composition, computer design, costume design, craft and folk arts, dance, directing, fashion, film, graphic design, installation art, literary arts, modeling, multimedia, music, photography, playwriting, poetry, printmaking, screenwriting, songwriting, theater, three-dimensional design, video arts, video game design, visual arts, and web design. 

VLA also plays an important role in educating artists, professionals within arts, cultural institutions, attorneys, students, and the general public about legal and business issues that affect artistic and creative endeavors.

LEGAL SERVICES

VLA provides legal services to low-income artists and all non-profit arts organizations in every artistic discipline. They consult with thousands of artists and representatives of nonprofit arts organizations each year. If you find that you have an issue for which you would like a legal consultation, contact their ArtLaw Line, 212-319-2787 EXT.1, or through their website at http://vlany.org/request-assistance/   Full-time students get a 40% discount on regular membership.

TICKETS & DISCOUNTS

CUNY students are invited take any of the classes that they offer at their auditorium at 1 East 53rd Street at 50% off the regular student discount rate. VLA provides industry specific classes and workshops as well as core legal classes on copyright, contracts, for-profit and non-profit corporate formation.

Students can get this additional discount using the following promo code:

  • Student code: HUNTER

INTERNSHIPS

VLA offers internships in a variety of departments.

Check out opportunities here.