FTM Arts Law, In the Spotlight

In addition to keeping their clients in the spotlight, FTM Arts Law attorneys and staff get to take center stage themselves every now and then. They are frequently booked as speakers and panelists at national and international arts conferences, conventions, and festivals, as well as interviewed for nationally broadcast programs, featured on educational webinars and distance learning programs, and asked to serve as lecturers at major colleges, universities, and arts fellowship programs. Here's a list of some of their upcoming engagements. (Please note that while almost all are open to the public, some may require fees or advance registration. Links are provided for further information, or feel free to contact us directly.)

Winner of the 2010 Yates Award for Arts Advocacy
FTM ARTS LAW was selected for the award in recognition of its successful advocacy efforts to improve the process by which foreign artists and performers obtain visas and work authorization to enter the United States; its acclaimed workshops and seminars proving basic legal knowledge and business skills to artists and arts professionals; and the fundamental impact of its work on the arts industry.
Click here to read more about it.

♦ April 21
Professional Development Opportunity: Upcoming OPERA America Webcast

OPERA America's next webcast, Visa Processing for Foreign Guest Artists, will be held on April 21 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The opera industry has recently seen delays and problems in visa processing by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), underscoring the risk that foreign guest artists will be unable to enter the country in time for their rehearsals and performances. Join us to hear from attorney Jonathan Ginsburg and Andi Floyd of FTM Arts Law as they share timely advice and best practices for assembling petitions that will increase your chances of petition approval. Ginsburg is considered one of the top immigration attorneys in the U.S. for foreign guest artists. He co-authored the Artist From Abroad Web site, and has conducted numerous presentations and training sessions across the country on visa processing. Andi Floyd of FTM Arts Law will also participate. Please e-mail MFeilotter@operaamerica.org with questions or to register – please be aware that the webcast can only be viewed by a fixed number of members at a time and the list fills quickly.

Visit operaamerica.org to learn more.

♦ April 17 - April 25
International Artist Managers Conference
Cite de la Musique
Paris, France

Brian Taylor Goldstein, who serves as the US Legal Advisor for IAMA, may be providing private consultations for conference attendees on visas, taxes, and other issues pertaining to foreign artists who wish to tour and perform in the United States.... if he can get to Paris.

Brian will be Tweeting from, or about, Paris or perhaps on the subject of volcanos.

♦ April 12, 2010
"A Musicians Legal Toolkit"
New York City

Entertainment law expert, Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq., will lead Chamber Music Americas next First Tuesdays free professional development workshop, A Musicians Legal Toolkit. To avoid conflict with the spring holidays, this First Tuesday seminar will take place on Monday, April 12, 2010, 3:00-5:00 P.M., at Saint Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street in Manhattan.

The seminar is presented in collaboration with St. Peters Church and the Midtown Arts Common and is designed for professional jazz and classical musicians, as well as presenters in the small ensemble field, who want to brush up on basic legal concepts and practical considerations in such areas as contracts, copyrights, licensing, business structures, and visas for foreign artists. Mr. Goldstein will take questions and lead the discussion. Seating is limited; reservations are required.

R.S.V.P. to Marc Giosi, program associate, (212) 242-2022, ext. 14, mgiosi@chamber-music.org.

♦ January 9 – 11, 2010
Association of Performing Arts Presenters, National Conference
New York City

From January 9 – 11, 2010, Brian, Jonathan, Andi and Robyn will be conducting seminars and workshops, as well as providing private consultations for conference attendees. Seminars include: Visas: Tips, Trends and Updates (Two hours devoted to the newest developments in petitions and visas, tips to help you maintain your sanity and trends to embrace or avoid. A must for agents, managers and producers with foreign artists); O and P Visa Petitions: 101 (Introductory course to the nuts and bolts of the O and P petitions--emphasis on the nuts); Top Ten Things I Hate About You (Top ten legal mistakes everyone makes and how to avoid and/or correct them); Fair to Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Infringement (All you need to know about fair use and other aspects of copyright law);and Central Withholding Agreements: 101 (CWAs are your friends. Exorbitant taxes and withholding are not.)

In addition, Brian will be co-presenting a discussion on performance and booking cancellations entitled If I Cancel Tonight, Will You Love Me In The Morning with NAPAMA (North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents) and co-presenting a discussion on the impact of new technologies on artists and presenters entitled Arts/Tech/Law: Sound Advice on Navigating the New Creative Environment with the Future of Music Coalition.

For a complete schedule and additional information, visit www.apapconference.org

♦ September 25, 2009
Southern Arts Conference/Performing Arts Exchange
Norfolk, Virginia

On September 25, 2009 from 3:00 - 4:30pm, Brian Taylor Goldstein joins a panel discussion on "Federal Taxation on Foreign Artists." This discussion will present an overview of practical information and recent updates and strategies regarding compliance and procedures; from international treaties and Central Withholding Agreements all the way to filing income tax returns.

For additional information, visit www.southarts.org

♦ September 10 – 12, 2009
Midwest Arts Conference, Annual Conference
St. Paul, Minnesota

Brian Taylor Goldstein will be presenting workshops and hosting roundtable discussions on legal issues and concerns important to the performing arts community. Check back for Brian's specific schedule. Throughout the conference, Brian will also be providing free legal consultations to attendees of the Midwest Arts Conference. Check back for further details and Brian's specific schedule.

For additional information, visit www.www.artsmidwest.org

♦ September 4, 2009
Western Arts Alliance National Conference
Phoenix, Arizona

On September 4, 2009, Robyn Guilliams joins a panel discussion on "Federal Taxation on Foreign Artists." This discussion will present an overview of practical information and recent updates and strategies regarding compliance and procedures; from international treaties and Central Withholding Agreements all the way to filing income tax returns.

For additional information, visit www.westarts.org

♦ June 16, 2009
League of Historic American Theaters, National Conference
Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square
Cleveland, Ohio

On June 16, 2009, from 9:45am - 11:00am and again from 11:15am - 12:30pm, Brian Taylor Goldstein will be joining a panel of experts to present a discussion entitled "Raising the Curtain on Contracts." This discussion will discuss basic contractual concepts and challenges facing managers, agents, and presenters when booking performances.

For additional information, visit www.lhat.org

♦ June 12, 2009
Boston Early Music Festival
Boston, MA

On June 12, 2009, from 1pm to 2:30pm, Robyn Guilliams will lead a workshop entitled "Understanding Tax Filing Requirements and Visa Application Procedures for Non-US Artists" where she will discuss basic concepts and legal issues involved in bringing foreign performers to the United States.

For additional information, visit www.bemf.org

♦ June 5, 2009
American Immigration Lawyers Annual Conference
Palazzo/Venetian Conference Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

On June 5, 2009, from 3:55pm - 5:00pm, Jonathan Ginsburg will moderate a panel of legal experts entitled "You Don't Have to Be a Star Baby: Artists, Entertainers & Performers." This panel will discuss O and P visas for artists, entertainers and performers, as well as challenges, recent changes in the law, and strategies for successful petitions.

For additional information, visit www.aila.org

♦ June 3, 2009
Theatre Communications Group National Pre-Conference
Harmon Center for the Arts
Washington, DC

On June 3, 2009, from 10:30am - 12:00pm, Brian Taylor Goldstein joins a panel of experts to present a discussion entitled "Bridging Cultural Exchange and Diversity." This discussion will introduce and demystify the steps necessary for successful international collaborations. Topics to be explored include: Visas/Taxation for International Collaborators; Identifying Partners/Resources; and Gauging and Engaging Your Audience. Other panelists include Patrick M. Madden, president & CEO of Sister Cities International, Bll Reichblum, founder/CEO of Kadmus Arts, and Pennie Ojeda, Director of International Activities for the National Endowment for the Arts. Later that afternoon, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Brian will be participating in a think tank of national and international experts discussing cultural exchange opportunities and challenges in the arts.

For additional information, visit www.tcg.org

♦ May 2, 2009
Opera America, National Conference
Houston, Texas

On May 2, 2009 from 1:45pm - 3:00pm, Robyn Guilliams will participate in a panel discussion entitled "Mastering Foreign Artist Basics" where they will discuss everything you need to know about visas and taxes in 75 minutes!

For additional information, visit www.operamerica.org