This multi-phased project will help to build the infrastructure for regional hubs representing artists and arts organizations in every area of Canada and will include an Indigenous Advisory to address the unique challenges that Indigenous artists and arts organizations face every day, The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts is currently working to establish the regional committees of arts service organizations that will define the shape of these clinics in collaboration with committed lawyers in their area.

There is going to be a Virtual Forum on May 11, 12, 13, 2021 where these regional committees will gather to share knowledge and lay out plans for the evolution of this important and necessary project. ALAS will share more information on the Virtual Forum as it becomes available. For more information on the National Network project, visit https://www.legalclinicsforthearts.ca/.

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The report recognized that artists in all disciplines face legal issues related to the distribution, creation and use of artistic and cultural works, including new and evolving issues due to the increasing digitization of the arts landscape and, with the rise of COVID-19, other pressing challenges have arisen, such as sudden contract cancellations that impact artists working in all media. Unfortunately, however, most artists cannot afford legal services, nor do they have access to lawyers with expertise or experience in the arts sector.

To remedy this widespread lack of accessible and affordable legal services and the limitations of the legal services currently available to artists and arts organizations on a pro bono basis, the report proposes a national network of legal clinics for the arts. This initiative would:

• facilitate collaboration among existing legal arts clinics to identify and propose solutions to nationwide legal issues
• allow existing clinics to improve their jurisdiction-specific content and services
• foster collaboration among clinics to deliver innovative legal information and support nationally
• cultivate and leverage existing relationships to develop new legal arts clinics in regions currently unserved

The needs assessment will help direct where ALAS will focus on developing resources and educational sessions for artists in Ontario. ALAS will also continue to work with our collaborators on establishing a true national network of legal clinics for the arts across Canada.

ALO’s press release on the report is available here, and the report is available in English and in French. It includes a description of the methodology behind the report, the complete results of the survey, and a fuller account of the proposed model of the national network of legal clinics for the arts.

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Enter to Win an iPad Mini by Completing a Survey in Support of the Formation of Canada’s First-Ever National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts!

ALAS is helping to develop a national network of federally funded legal services for artists across Canada. As part of this initiative, we are conducting an important Needs Assessment Survey to provide a fulsome picture of artists’ needs from coast-to-coast.  The results of the Survey will be presented to the Canada Council of the Arts in April 2020, and all responses will remain anonymous.

The deadline to complete the survey by March 10, 2020. This survey will take approximately 5 – 10 minutes to complete and at its end you may elect to enter into an exclusive draw to win an iPad Mini!

To complete the Survey, simply click on the link below or cut and paste the entire URL into your browser:

Click here to fill out the survey

Cliquez ici pour l’enquête en Français

Background:

There are currently five legal clinics for the arts across Canada who work tenaciously to fund their efforts and service their local artists. A National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts will unify and coordinate better access to free legal resources, services and information, empowering artists nationwide.

In August 2019, representatives from the individual legal clinics for the arts met with the Canada Council for the Arts and Canadian Heritage to relay the very real legal needs of the arts sector across this country.

The Canada Council for the Arts has committed to funding this Needs Assessment Survey for legal clinics and artists, which – WITH YOUR HELP – will lead to the  development of a Canada’s first-ever National Network for Legal Clinics for the Arts.

Please also help us identify persons and organizations we may have missed by sending us an email.

Your input is extremely valuable in providing outstanding legal service to Canadian arts. Thank you!

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