Workshops & Clinics

We offer affordable professional development workshops for creatives and arts administrators.

Tuition is waived for those facing financial hardship. Contact us to request a scholarship. Our webinars use Zoom’s automated captions (also known as live transcription) feature. For in-person workshops, American Sign Language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

For Creatives

BUSINESS EDGE

This series is designed to increase the business savvy of our region’s artists.

TEACHING ARTIST LEGAL TOOLKIT
February 24, 2025, 5:00-6:30 PM
Metro Theater Company, 3311 Washington in Grand Center
Many creatives have dual careers as educators in a variety of settings. We’ll explore the legal side of this work, including how teaching artists are compensated, contracts and negotiation tips, mandatory reporting, insurance, and more. Our panelists are Pacia Elaine Anderson, visual and spoken word artist; Renee Franklin, chief diversity officer, Saint Louis Art Museum; Sam Gaitsch, artist and choreographer; and Sarah Tomlinson, attorney, Summers Compton Wells.

DEBT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CREATIVES
March 10, 2025, 4:00-5:00 PM (free webinar)
Is debt causing you stress? This webinar will provide proven strategies for getting out of crushing credit card debt and managing college loans. Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the personal financial planning program at University of Missouri-Columbia, is our presenter.

NAVIGATING FASHION LAW
March 29, 2025, 9:30-11:30 AM
High Low Listening Room, 3301 Washington in Grand Center
Learn about the unique legal challenges facing small and startup fashion brands and designers. Matthew Cook, a designer/artist, former VLAA summer associate, and current SLU Law and MBA student, will explain how creativity and innovation are protected in the fashion industry. Then Attorney Emily Bardon, with Lewis Rice Design & Luxury, will discuss business entity formation, contracts, and licensing.

PROTECTING YOUR BANDNAME
Monday, March 31, 5:00-6:30 PM
Metro Theater Company, 3311 Washington in Grand Center
A great name alone won’t make or break a band or brand, but it can certainly help. We’ll discuss what makes a memorable band name. Then, Attorneys Matt Minder and Jazmyn Ferguson, BCLP law firm, will explain why your band name should (or shouldn’t) be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They’ll also highlight a few high-profile cases involving band name disputes.

CLINICS

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK CLINIC

April 19, 2025, 9:30 to 11:00 AM
High Low Listening Room, 3301 Washington in Grand Center

Do you have pressing questions about copyright or trademark? A team of Washington University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Clinic students will present the basics. Twenty-minute one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers will follow the presentation.

LLC CLINIC

May 10, 2025. 9:30 to 11:00 AM
High Low Listening Room, 3301 Washington in Grand Center

Whether you’re thinking about forming a limited liability company or already have one, find out if this business structure really is for you. Attorney Brian Sabin, Capes Sokol law firm, will cover all the basics, including how to establish and run an LLC, operating agreements, when you can be held personally liable and how LLCs are taxed. Twenty-minute consultations with lawyer-accountant teams will follow.

For Organizations

ACCIDENTAL ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

Spring 2025

Metro Theater Company, 3311 Washington

This two-session seminar is co-presented by the Missouri Arts Council and the Regional Arts Commission. The first session covers working with a board of directors, marketing, fund-raising, and financial management. Participants receive a 75-page manual. Tuesday’s interactive, jargon-free session will help you develop an approach to planning that answers your organization’s big questions and enables your staff and board members to think and act strategically. Learn together: tuition is $20 and $5 for each additional person from the same organization who attends. Sorry, no discounts for attending just one session.

QUICKBOOKS BASICS FOR NONPROFITS

Fall 2025

This hands-on two-day training, hosted by Anders CPAs + Advisors, are for arts administrators and volunteers who are new to QuickBooks Online. You’ll be introduced to bookkeeping basics and learn the most essential QuickBooks tasks. You’ll also receive friendly one-on-one coaching. Free parking will be available.