Artist & Nonprofit Membership

Professional Assistance for Artists, Creatives, and Nonprofit Organizations

TALA provides Texas artists and arts organizations with legal and accounting assistance to enable them to maximize their potential, shape our cultural landscape, and contribute to the creative economy.

TALA offers free legal and accounting services to artists, craftspeople, and arts-centered nonprofit organizations from all creative disciplines, including visual arts, music, film and television, new media, writing and journalism, fashion design, theater, dance, and performing arts.

To qualify for membership in TALA's pro bono matching program, individual artists and nonprofit organizations must meet financial eligibility. 

Individual artists must make less than 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. View Income qualifications.

Nonprofits must have an annual budget of less than $200,000.  

Membership is required for direct services. A qualifying application, including an application fee, is required for membership.

 

    • Nonprofit incorporation and application for 501(c)(3), tax-exempt status

    • Copyright and trademark matters

    • Contract drafting, negotiation, and review

    • Business formation and operating agreements

    • Performance agreements

    • Recording agreements

    • Split sheets and collaboration agreements

    • Consignment, sale, and gallery agreements

    • Employment contracts and Work for Hire agreements

    • Licensing agreements

    • Nondisclosure agreements

    • Literary and publishing contracts

    • Waivers and releases

    • QuickBooks setup and guidance on best bookkeeping practices

    • General tax advice and guidance for self-filing 

    • State sales tax and franchise tax matters

    • Nonprofit budget planning

    • TALA volunteers do not file tax returns. Our CPAs provide guidance for self-filing only. 

    • Requests for CPA assistance between February 1 and April 30 may take longer to receive a response due to volunteer workloads during high tax season.

    For more information about our accounting services, please click here.

  • TALA does not provide assistance in the following areas:

    • Referrals to CPAs or attorneys for hire, or other paid services

    • Comprehensive film production services (producer’s rep services, music supervision, etc)

    • Artist management

    • Audits

    • Seeking funding

    • Filing tax returns

    • Family Law (child custody, divorce, etc)

    • Criminal Law

    • Probate Law

    • Personal Injury Law

    • Litigation (lawsuits, restraining orders, etc)

    • Bankruptcy

    TALA cannot provide emergency legal or accounting assistance, nor does TALA provide representation before courts, arbitration panels, administrative proceedings, or other governmental bodies.

  • While TALA does its best to help as many clients as possible, TALA may deny a request for assistance under certain circumstances, including but not limited to:

    • The matter requires litigation. TALA does not litigate. TALA may, however, provide mediation services, which could be an alternative to litigation.

    • The matter is too complex or labor-intensive to be resolved using volunteer resources.

    • The matter is beyond the expertise of currently available volunteers.

    • The applicant does not meet the income or Texas residency guidelines.

    • The applicant’s business or nonprofit mission is not arts-centered.

    • The matter requiring assistance is not arts-related.

    • The matter requires attorney licensure outside of Texas.

Ready to apply?

  • An individual artist who resides in Texas with a total household income of less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.

    View Poverty Guidelines Table

  • A Texas-based nonprofit organization with an arts-centered mission 

    • With 501(c)(3) status; 

    • Seeking 501(c)(3) status;

    • Seeking incorporation as a Texas nonprofit; OR

    • Operating under the sponsorship of another nonprofit

    and have an annual organizational budget of $200,000 or less and with assets less than $500,000.

If you’re unsure about whether you’re income-eligible, we recommend filling out the income portion of the application form, linked above. The form is automated and will give you an immediate determination on whether your income qualifies. The option to proceed to the application fee payment screen will not appear unless you qualify financially.

Completed applications are subject to staff review and may be followed by requests for verification.

Membership may be revoked if the information provided is inaccurate.