Welcome! Our easy-to-understand guides present an overview of the most important legal and business issues affecting artists and their small creative businesses.

Our goal is to present practical information in an accessible format and to provide answers to the questions we hear most often. Of course, our guides are not intended to serve as a substitute for legal or accounting advice. We recommend seeking professional legal or accounting to discuss the nuances of your situation.

Anatomy of a Contract

Putting it in writing can avoid ugly misunderstandings.

  • The Art of Negotiation
  • Contracts in a Nutshell
  • Do You Need a Lawyer?
  • Consider Mediation
Guide to Copyright Basics

Copyright law enables creators, producers, publishers and distributors of artistic works to control whether, how and when their works are used.

  • Overview
  • Work Made for Hire
  • Fair Use
  • Permissions & Licensing
  • Estate Planning
  • Visual Artists Rights Act
Business Essentials

Updated annually, this comprehensive guide addresses the business of being an artist. It’s recommended for creatives of every discipline at all career stages.

  • Record-Keeping
  • Taxes
  • Business Entities
  • & Much More

Guide to Leasing Studio Space

Finding space to work could be one of the most important business decisions you’ll ever make. Well-informed decisions can make the difference between creating art in a productive environment and experiencing total frustration.

  • Finding Property
  • Landlord Q&A
  • Lease Terms & Conditions
Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsorship can provide creative with the ability to apply for funding that is only available to nonprofits with tax-exempt status from the IRS.

  • Win-Win for the Arts
  • Tips for Artist Projects
  • Tips for Sponsors
  • Tips for Grantmakers
  • Written Agreements

Photo Credit: QWERTY by Sarah Frost