What you need to sell your arts and crafts online: Conflict management and contracts for visual artists

 E-commerce for Native American artists & craftspeople webinar series 2022 signature graphic

Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian visual artists and craftspeople face unique challenges with the shift to online sales and continued 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. Join us as we explore how to handle these problems informally, while maintaining your relationships, and avoiding escalation. We also will cover mediation, a type of alternative dispute resolution, and how and when to use it. Additionally, this session will explore why contracts are helpful in avoiding problems and the elements of a well-written artist contract.

We also will explore the types of contracts that visual artists typically encounter including agreements for:

  • commissions,
  • exhibitions and galleries,
  • consignment, and sales.

Register Now

    This program is the seventh in a series of monthly webinars held the second Thursday of each month through December 2022. The series has been 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.

    All programs are recorded and made available for viewing online after the program date. There is no charge to attend, and you may register for any of the webinars as they are announced. For a complete list of upcoming dates, visit the series page.

    Additional information

    For more information or to request an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Hollis Robinson in the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA).

    This virtual program is 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.

    This event is part of a series: E-commerce for Native American artists