TEXAS ACCOUNTANTS AND LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS

1540 Sul Ross  Houston, Texas 77006   (713) 526-4876    info@talarts.org     http://www.talarts.org

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Newsletter

May 2009
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	  Topics in this Newsletter include, Legal and Accounting Open House at Spacetaker, Save the Date for Fundraising Dinner at Fleming's,
TALA Volunteer Information Session,
Email Newsletters on Changes to the 2008 IRS Form 990,
and Drink Houston Better Night at Poison Girl



Legal and Accounting Open House at Spacetaker

The TALA/Spacetaker open house clinics provide individual artists and representatives of arts-related not-for-profit corporations an opportunity to consult with TALA law and accounting volunteers on legal and accounting issues.  Walk-ups are welcome, but preference is given to those who make an appointment for a consultation. The date of the next clinic is:

Saturday, May 16, 2009   
2:30 pm to 4:30pm

The open houses will take place at Spacetaker's Artist Resource Center at
2101 Winter Street
Houston, TX 77007

There will also be  two Fall dates to be announced later in the year

Lawyers and accountants interested in volunteering at an upcoming clinic should contact TALA at  < info@talarts.org >, and artists and non-profits interested in attending the open house should contact Spacetaker at  < info@spacetaker.org >  in order to make an appointment.




Save the Date for Fundraising Dinner at Fleming's

On Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 7 pm, TALA will host a fundraising dinner at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.  Attendees will be able to purchase a ticket for the three course meal, and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit TALA.  This should be a great opportunity to meet new people, connect with friends, and support the work of Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts.  Menu details and directions on how to purchase tickets will be forthcoming.



TALA Volunteer Information Session July 18, 2009

The next information session for new volunteers or anyone interested in information on TALA and it's processes will be July 18th, 2009 at the TALA office (1540 Sul Ross, Houston, TX 77006).  2 hours CLE credit will be available.  Topics and speakers to be announced at a later date.  Please contact Erin Rodgers, Staff Attorney, at  <  info@talarts.org  >  with any questions or suggestions. 




Email Newsletters from Blazek and Vetterling

For nonprofits who need to complete the 2008 IRS Form 990, this is another in the series of email newsletters distributed by TALA and Blazek and Vetterling dealing with changes to the Form 990.  These newsletters gives nonprofits some insight into how the IRS may view the section of the Form 990 dealing with governance disclosures, and some guidelines for completing the Schedule L which deals with transactions with "interested parties"  Please click the link below to download.  Also, see the January Newsletter for the first email newsletter dealing with general information about changes to the 2008 IRS Form 990.

Governance Disclosures (PDF)

Schedule L (PDF)



Drink Houston Better Night at Poison Girl

Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 2, 2009 for Drink Houston Better Night at Poison Girl (1641 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006).  Come out to Poison Girl if you are 21 and up, and support the Houston arts community and TALA, who will receive some of the profits from the evening.  A great opportunity to network and play vintage pinball machines !!




Membership Information: 

TALA needs your support!  Please consider becoming a member, or renewing your membership today.  Follow the link below for Membership Information and the Membership Form.

/// Membership Information ///

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Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts is generously funded by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, the Houston Endowment, the Brown Foundation, the Anchorage Foundation, the Herzstein Foundation, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and  the State Bar of Texas.

If you wish to Unsubscribe from the TALA newsletter, and all future TALA communications, please visit http://www.talarts.org and enter your email address in the field and click "unsubscribe"   Thank you

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Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) organization and has been providing pro bono legal and accounting services for artists and non-profits since 1979.

1540 Sul Ross  Houston, Texas 77006   (713) 526-4876    info@talarts.org     http://www.talarts.org
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In these uncertain economic times, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts is grateful for the support of the legal and accounting communities and their ongoing generosity in rendering much-needed professional services to those deserving artists and organizations of limited means, who otherwise would not have access to such services.  Thank you.