For the fifth year in a row, FMC will be curating a number of conversations at the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York City, January 8-12, 2010. Join us for sessions on the issues at the intersection of arts, technology and law; media, copyright and technology; and health insurance for creators.

To attend these sessions you need to be registered for the Arts Presenters conference. Click here for registration details.  If you are an artist and would like to attend these sessions only and will not go to the APAP conference, email us at nicole [at] futureofmusic [dot] org.

From Dance Creation to Dance Preservation: Proactive Strategies like Fair Use Can Help Negotiate Copyright Concerns

Saturday, January 9, 2010
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Artists, teachers and archivists in the dance field are concerned about whether their practices comply with copyright law requirements. Too often, they forego culturally significant projects because of copyright concerns. But there is a solution! The poorly understood and underutilized copyright doctrine of fair use provides a chance for dance practitioners to “take the law into their own hands.” This program will examine the copyright challenge to dance and present information about developments in fair use, including the “Code of Best Practices for Online Video” and the Dance Heritage Coalition’s recent “Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use of Dance-related Materials”.

Discussants:
Peter Jaszi, Washington College of Law, American University
Kate Mattingly, dance critic and dance dramaturg 
Julia Rhoads, artistic director of Lucky Plush Dance Company 
Libby Smigel, acting executive director of Dance Heritage Coalition

Arts/Tech/Law: Sound Advice on Navigating the New Creative Environment

Saturday, January 9, 2010
Hilton / Concourse B
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

In addition to traditional marketing and performance channels, there are now a mind-boggling array of tools and services that help artists promote, distribute and sell their work, and give presenters new ways to connect with their communities. But which services can you trust? What do the contracts look like? Which methods are generating revenue for artists, and how? What are the legal and tax implications? Join an open consultation and discussion organized by the Future of Music Coalition and FTM Arts Law where presenters and artists will discuss what tools are out there, what’s working (online and off), and how you can smartly navigate the new arts/tech/law landscape.

Media, Technology and Copyright Policy Roundup

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sheraton / Conference C
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Wondering if radio is ever going to play anything good again? Sure, the Internet has changed everything, but will “Net Neutrality” change the Internet, smartphones and other wireless devices? What are these “white spaces”? When are they going to straighten out all the gray areas surrounding royalties and copyright anyway? Join Future of Music Coalition for an artist- and presenter-friendly roundup of major technology, copyright and policy issues since 2009 and an assessment of the creative community’s role in influencing the Obama administration’s activity on arts, copyright and broadband policy.

Jean Cook, Interim Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition
Kristin Thomson, Education Director, Future of Music Coalition

Free Health Insurance Consultations for Artists

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sheraton / Conference I
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

Are you an artist or freelancer without health insurance? Do you run a small business or nonprofit that’s considering obtaining a health insurance plan for your employees? Need advice about health insurance but don’t know where to start? These free, half-hour consultations conducted by FMC’s HINT program coordinator Alex Maiolo, who is an insurance professional, and also a musician. Alex will help you navigate the confusing world of health insurance. Learn about how health insurance for individuals and groups works, what to look for in a health plan, the pros and cons of health savings accounts and more.

Register for the APAP Conference | See Arts Presenters Conference website for details