American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian visual artists and craftspeople faced unique challenges with the shift to online sales and 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. In this webinar, we explored how to handle these problems informally, while maintaining your relationships, and avoiding escalation. We also covered mediation, a type of alternative dispute resolution, and how and when to use it. Additionally, this session explored why contracts are helpful in avoiding problems and the elements of a well-written artist contract.
We also explored the types of contracts that visual artists typically encounter including agreements for:
- commissions,
- exhibitions and galleries,
- consignment, and sales.
This program was the seventh in a series of monthly webinars held the second Thursday of each month through December 2022. The series was organized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board and the nonprofit Indian Dispute Resolution Services, founder of The Acorn Project for Native American small businesses.
A video recording is available. For a complete list of upcoming dates, visit the series page.
Transcript/Closed Caption Disclaimer: These computer-generated transcripts and closed captions may contain inaccuracies and errors.
Additional information
This virtual program was hosted by the USPTO’s Global Intellectual Property Academy, which is managed by OPIA. OPIA advises the Administration and other federal government departments and agencies on domestic and international intellectual property (IP) legal and policy issues. It also provides technical assistance and training on IP-related matters to U.S. stakeholders and both U.S. and foreign government officials.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.