CCI - Business Entities for Creative Entrepreneurs - San Jose
May 30, 2019, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Topic: Legal Issues
Provider/Presenting Organization: Center for Cultural Innovation
Location: South Bay Area
B-Corps, (c)(3)s, LLCs and more... Artists and creative entrepreneurs have a host of options these days when it comes to selecting a business entity, but many may not be aware of some less traditional options such as cooperatives, fiscal sponsorship, unincorporated associations, and benefit corporations. Join Casey Summar for a workshop on how to choose the right business entity for your artistic practice.
This workshop will provide an overview of the full landscape with a focus on the pros and cons of each option from the artist's perspective. As artists and artist-driven businesses and collectives are routinely straddling the nonprofit/for-profit line, we will pay special attention to finding the right fit for artists walking this line. We will also consider the best timing for creating an entity and when you do (and don't) need a formal business entity.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for people who self identify as artists, cultural producers, and/or creative businesses who are interested in learning more about how finding the right business entity can provide helpful structure and protections, as well as open the doors to funding opportunities. The workshop will be relevant to both individuals and team/group endeavors.
What will the workshop be like?
The workshop will be interactive including hands-on exercises and time for reflection. Participants will come away with a working knowledge of the different business entities and clarity on their next steps for selecting an entity. Handouts will be provided.
What are business entities?
Business entities refer to the legal form your business takes and can range from having no formal entity, such as operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership, to a traditional business entity, such as a corporation or LLC, to a nonprofit entity, such as a fiscal sponsorship or 501(c)(3), to one of the new entities for social entrepreneurs, such as a benefit corporation of low-profit limited liability company.
Casey Summar is an attorney and national consultant working with organizations and artists on organizational strategy, planning, and board development. She serves as Of Counsel with the Law Firm for Non-Profits and is an adjunct Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University. Prior to relocating to Southern California, Casey founded the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in 2005 which grew to become the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, an arts service organization dedicated to ensuring a thriving arts community, for which she served as Executive Director for over a decade. In that role, she advised the boards and staff of over 400 nonprofits at all stages of organizational lifecycle from formation to operations to transition. Casey was recognized for this work as the 2016 Nonprofit CEO of the Year for Middle Tennessee. Casey serves on the boards of the national Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), the Carpinteria Arts Center, and the Lois & Walter Capps Project. Casey received her J.D. with honors from Vanderbilt University Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University with a B.F.A in Photography. Casey is based in Carpinteria, CA.
This workshop is offered as part of the City of San Jose - Office of Cultural Affairs' Creative Entrepreneur Project (CEP) in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation.
Workshop Details
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: T-1446 (14th Floor of the Tower), San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
(map)
Cost: Free, pre-registration requested
Center for Cultural Innovation takes photos and videos at our activities for non-commercial, archival, and promotional purposes. By attending this workshop, you are acknowledging that your likeness may appear on our website, social media platforms, ephemera and publications, and/or archives. If you have any objections, please let us know, and thank you.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS (DON'T SKIP STEPS 5-6!)
- Click the green REGISTER NOW button, below.
- Enter the required contact and (confidential) demographic information.
- Click SUBMIT.
- Review your Shopping Cart, and add additional guests (if desired).
- Click CHECKOUT.
- Enter your billing information and click CONTINUE. (Note: you will not be charged for this event.)
- When you see your Receipt, you have successfully registered!
Need to cancel or change your reservation? Email allison@cciarts.org.
