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HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF LEGAL CLINICS FOR THE ARTS

In early 2020, PLEO spearheaded the creation of the The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts, completing the first national legal needs assessment of the arts & culture sector.

Surveying 1,150 Canadian artists, arts organizations and legal experts working in the sector, we found that 94% of artists feel strongly they have unique legal needs and lack information and training on legal issues.

The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts is a proposed system of connected regional legal hubs for artists and arts organizations that includes existing Canadian pro-bono legal clinics.

In our report entitled Now More Than Ever: Towards a National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts, significant new research on the multitude of legal challenges facing individuals working in the Canadian arts sector – accelerated to critical levels due to the devastating impact of COVID-19, is revealed.

This report highlights gaps in legal needs, legal literacy and education, and protections that are taking dramatic tolls on a sector whose earnings were already near poverty levels prior to the pandemic.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT

Click here to read the full report (English).
Click here to read the full report (French).

PRESS RELEASE

Click here to read the press release (June 2020).

MEDIA COVERAGE

1. Paul Sanderson Interview with the Law Times
2. Martha Rans Interview with The Lawyer’s Daily
3. Preview Article in The Georgia Straight
4. Interview with Martha Rans in Preview Magazine
5. Preview Article with the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture
6. Preview Article with Ludwig Van Toronto

Thanks to these participating organizations