Needs Assessment Report

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.

Now More Than Ever: Towards a National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts

Best Practices Workbook for Legal Clinics for the Arts

Designed to take you step-by-step on your journey to expand legal support for artists and arts organizations

2021 National Forum

The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts’ National Forum was held on May 11-13, 2021.

On this page, you will find event recordings, resources, and additional information about the project. Each event was created in order to raise awareness about existing legal resources that are available, while also drawing attention to what tools continue to be needed in order to increase access to justice for artist communities from coast to coast to coast. The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts aims to fill these gaps, and empower artists to be resilient, using the law as the vehicle.

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