Conflict Resolution and Visual Artists’ Contracts

Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian visual artists and craftspeople face unique challenges with the shift to online sales and continued limits on attendance at local arts and crafts fairs.  One of the more challenging aspects of running a business involves handling problems with employees and contractors, suppliers, and customers. Join us as we explore how to handle these problems informally, while maintaining your relationships, and avoiding escalation. We also will cover mediation, a type of alternative dispute resolution, and how and when to use it. Additionally, this session will explore why contracts are helpful in avoiding problems and the elements of a well-written artist contract.

We also will explore the types of contracts that visual artists typically encounter including agreements for commissions, exhibitions and galleries, consignment, and sales.

This program is the seventh in a series of monthly webinars held the second Thursday of each month through December 2022. The series has been organized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in collaboration with the United States Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board and the non-profit Indian Dispute Resolution Services, founder of The Acorn Project for Native American small businesses.
All programs will be recorded and made available for viewing online after the program date. There is no charge to attend, and you may register for any of the webinars as they are announced.

This series will be held each month on the 2nd Thursday of each month: September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8; 12-­2 p.m. PT