Welcome
The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts, a program of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, is established to meet the legal needs of the state's artistic community. Since its inception, the VLA has expanded its services to include legal services for artists and arts organizations as well as educational opportunities for artists, arts organizations and attorneys. VLA also assists local art and cultural institutions in finding attorneys to sit on their respective boards of directors who embrace the mission of the individual organization.
The 2009 Holiday Card Contest Winners are up!
Click here for a full list of our winners.
"Bright Night"
Tied for 1st Place:
Ariana Acuna
Student of Mr. Moy of Boston Latin Academy
Year: 7th grade
"Wintery Wonderland"
Tied for 1st Place:
Tamika Reid
Student of Mr. Harris of Boston Latin School
Year: Senior
Student of Mr. Harris of Boston Latin School
Year: Senior
The Artist's Professional Toolbox is an exciting career development program that empowers practicing visual artists with the skills and confidence they need to master the business challenges of being an artist.
"...You've all done so much for me....starting back with Jim Grace, who as head of VLA rescued me from the clutches of my past employer and set me on the path. Now my friends, artist and otherwise, tell me that I've "burst out" professionally since Toolbox. You been amazing as Program Manager of Toolbox. Thanks, Sophie." --Toolbox participant
“I am grateful for the experience and wish that every artist could have the same sort of access to small business information that was made available through APT. I tell my friends that APT was like ‘business school for artists’.” —Toolbox participant
Designed for Your Needs! Based on survey results from over 800 visual artists, the Artist’s Professional Toolbox is designed to assist working visual artist overcome the major obstacles they face in trying to build a successful business and career.
The Artist’s Professional Toolbox is the only comprehensive training program for the professional working visual artist in Greater Boston. The Toolbox is NOT a one-time workshop or “101-level” intro but an eight-month intensive course for a select group of artists. Artists have a chance to learn and practice using their newfound marketing, networking and business skills during the program, with one-on-one guidance and feedback throughout. |
Instruction includes:
“Thank you for developing the APT program and more – letting me be a part of such an opportunity. . . It has been spectacular and has given me connections and tools that I have been searching for by means of trial and error.” —Toolbox participant
- Clarifying your own career goals and making a plan to achieve them, all under the guidance and personalized attention of a professional career coach
- Marketing strategies, including understanding your customer base, positioning yourself in the market place, branding, developing your own personal marketing plan, and more
- Effective networking, including mastering your “elevator speech,” talking about your work in any situation, and setting yourself apart
- Portfolio review by leading gallery owners, museum directors, grant makers, residency program directors and more
- Building a supportive network of fellow artists and gaining the value of feedback through structured and facilitated peer groups
- Negotiating so that everybody wins, and managing conflict resolution when everyone doesn't
- Copyright infringement, contract snafus and real estate problems
- Financial planning, including tax and estate planning
- Managing your time to achieve these and other goals!
- And Much Much More!
“I feel very fortunate to have been selected and to have had this experience at this point in my art career. It couldn’t have come at better time.” —Toolbox participant
