VSA arts of Michigan (VSAMI)

I know that everyone wanted to be at the copyright forum on the 12th, but for some reason or another you may not have been able to attend.  You are in luck!  Matthew Bower is the wonderful attorney from Safford & Baker PLLC in Bloomfield Hills that hosted our workshop.  He graciously supplied a very basic outline of copyright issues that a musician or composer may encounter. 

Information may be found on our website (http://www.vsami.org) under Career Forum events.  Or you can download it here.

Thanks Matthew for all your help!  I know that the forum attendees found your presentation quite helpful.

Submission Receive Deadline is September 10, 2009

CoLAB Projects (formerly BECA gallery) is presenting a solo-show award exhibition. One artist will receive a solo exhibition from November 7- 28 2009 at CoLAB Projects located at 527 St. Joseph Street, New Orleans, LA across from the Contemporary Arts Center in the heart of the New Orleans Warehouse Arts District. The purpose of the CoLAB Projects solo show award exhibition is to provide CoLAB gallery directors, curators and collectors an opportunity to discover new, compelling works created by artists who have not yet received a solo show exhibition opportunity with CoLAB Projects. The artist selected for the CoLAB Projects solo show award will be considered for future representation. Complete information and submission guidelines may be downloaded at: http://www.colabprojects.com/links.php?56261     
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BECA | CoLAB Projects
527 Saint Joseph Street (across from the Contemporary Arts Center)
New Orleans, LA 70130
+1.504.566.8999

View our exhibitions at: www.becagallery.com and www.colabprojects.com

Get involved with The BECA Foundation: www.thebecafoundation.org

This comes from VSAMI-Grand Rapids.  They have just announced their adult courses for fall.  Definitely worth checking out.  Visit their blog for other exciting news in the district!

Much thanks to those that participated in the Community Foundation Challenge.  Though we do not yet know the actual amount specifically contributed to VSAMI, it has been announced that this funding opportunity raised over $3.5 million for local arts and cultural organizations.  That’s amazing!

Join a Conference Call about Arts Education with Sec. of Education Arne Duncan

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Established in 1977, VSA arts provides and advocates for arts, education, and creative expression involving children and adults with disabilities, thereby strengthening the human spirit and improving the quality of life for all.

Over 25,000 individuals per year have benefited from VSA arts of Michigan programs and events taking place in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, arts and community centers throughout the state.   VSA arts of Michigan is a member of the international network of VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Now for some exciting news! Beginning August 18 at 10:00 a.m. the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, through the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture, is providing up to $1 million to match general operating gifts made online at http://cfsem.org/about-us/latest-happenings/clone-community-foundation-challenge-arts-and-culture to support participating arts and cultural organizations, including VSA arts of Michigan.

A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed!

Starting August 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. gifts for the Community Foundation Challenge can be made ONLINE at http://cfsem.org/about-us/latest-happenings/clone-community-foundation-challenge-arts-and-culture to support VSA arts of Michigan and other participating arts and cultural organizations. 

Through the Web site, donors can choose one or more organizations to receive support by using a simple menu to locate organizations participating in the challenge.  Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor, per organization.   Only completed gifts will be matched – no pledges.

For more details, visit www.cfsem.org.   If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Guzmán at jessica@vsami.org or 313.832.3303 at VSA arts of Michigan.

Thank you for your support.  We can’t do it without you!

If you’re like me you need an alarm to remind you of important events.  I just installed a Yahoo Widget on my computer.  This allows me to set important events (such as VSA arts of Michigan’s participation in the CFSEM Challenge)!  It will set off an alarm on the date and time, to remind you of your scheduled event.  Get yours here and remind yourself to contribute to VSAMI and its wonderful programs.

This Widget will countdown from a date the user inputs.

Run this Application and you may then customize it on your desktop by inputting the event, date, time, and even appearance.  Once the app is installed, this will appear on your desktop (more than likely on the right hand side of your screen).

Click on the wheel in the upper right hand corner of the application and select preferences.  Doing so will open the following window.

Type your event name and time. 

Career Forum on Copyright Issues

 DETROIT, MI: July 22, 2009—

VSA arts of Michigan presents a career forum for musicians and composers interested in copyright law.  Experts will be on hand to provide a brief overview of current copyright issues and answer questions from participants.  The forum will be held at the Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay Street, Detroit from 1-5pm on Wednesday, August 12. A $10 registration fee is required for this event.  Interested persons may contact Susan Fitzmaurice at susan@vsami.org or by calling 313.832.3303.  Individuals self-identified as living with a disability will have the registration fee waived.  VSA arts of Michigan strives to promote creative power in people with disabilities. Those interested in registering may download a form here.

 In today’s world with the web and mass production, artists can advance their careers like never before.  But these very tools that can be great assets to the artist can actually cause problems.  Copyright is an issue that artists need not only be aware of, but also need to understand.  VSA arts of Michigan and the Career Forum are pleased to present this needed topic to advance the careers and abilities of artists.  Copyright expert Matthew Bower will present an overview of basic copyright issues and then focus the forum toward issues specifically related to musicians and composers.  This workshop will make one aware of current artist right and how one may protect their work.

 Matthew W. Bower is an attorney with Safford & Baker PLLC, Bloomfield Hills, and practices in the area of general business with a focus on copyright, trademark, Internet law, e-commerce, art law, publishing, entertainment law, right of publicity, and other areas of intellectual property.  He is Chair for the Arts, Communication, Entertainment and Sports (ACES) section of the State Bar of Michigan and an active member of the Copyright Society of the United States of America and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and Culture (VLAC).  He received a BFA in theater from the University of Michigan in 1995, and his degree in law from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York in 2002.  While attending Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Bower served as the Editor in Chief of the Cardozo Arts& Entertainment Law Journal.  

The Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation has recently announced the establishment of Wynn Newhouse Awards.  These artist grants are available to artists living with disabilities as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Artists must be nominated, so those interested should contact VSAMI home office and Jessica (jessica@vsami.org) will be glad to assist you.  The foundation awarded a total of $66,000 to 4 artists ($16,500 each).  Nominations must be submitted no later than September 1 so act quickly!

All are invited to attend the premiere of “Dreams: The Musical” and the closing ceremony for the 2009 arts JAM Detroit WAY summer program.  Let’s all celebrate the participants accomplishments!