VLA provides legal services and educational programming to visual and performing artists, and educates lawyers in pro bono advocacy. VLA'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO DEDICATED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND EDUCATION TO INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS (ACOS). FOCUSING ON NEW YORK STATE AND THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA, VLA STRIVES TO PROTECT THE LIVELIHOODS, BUSINESSES, AND CREATIVE WORKS OF THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, VLA PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ACOS. VLA ALSO OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND A RANGE OF OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS LEGAL COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND TRAINING OF LAWYERS IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW.