Cost: This workshop is free of charge, but pre-registration is required.

Space is limited. Registration closes when the space is full or March 8, 4:00 pm (whichever comes first).

This free workshop is recommended for all creators: visual artists, media artists, composers, writers, performing artists, and photographers and is approximately 1.5 hours in length. 

With the massive amount of media being easily shared digitally, how do we know what's fair to use or what others can use of ours? Recent court cases with Canadian artists emphasize the importance of understanding copyright. Presenting and accessing creative works–-art, photography, video, writing, music–-is easier than ever and this has major implications on how we choose to showcase our creative output.

From understanding copyright and its applications for creators to fair dealing and fair use, lawyer and copyright expert Martha Rans will unravel the shifting and evolving legal issues that need to be a major part of your business as an artist. 

The Copyright for Artists workshop was developed by Artists’ Legal Outreach, artistslegaloutreach.ca, which is a group of volunteer lawyers and law students committed to working with artists and arts organizations. ALO offers resources, workshops and clinics across BC. This workshop is offered by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) in partnership with Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College, with the generous support of The Province of British Columbia.

Instructor

Martha Rans has been working with the non-profit sector for 25 years.  She was a community development worker, and board member who upon her call to the bar in 1993 became a legal advisor to many non-profits, charities and co-ops.  As an employment, labour and human rights mediator she became aware of the limited accessibility of legal advice to many non-profits and co-ops.  She developed the successful, “Legal Pitfalls for Non Profits” workshop and has been recognized for her expertise as an invited participant to sector meetings on changes to BC's Society Act.  As part of the National CBA Non-Profit and Charities subsection she reviewed proposed draft guidance to arts charities.  She is also a recognized Canadian copyright expert.