Who’s Liable? Legal Essentials for Artists Hosting Public Events

Online Workshop via ZOOM

September 24, 2026 at 12:00-1:00 PM EDT:  Register here

In partnership with Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS), The Artists’ Health Centre is pleased to host the Q&A session for artists of all disciplines to ask legal questions about their creative work.

Hosting a workshop, open studio, or outdoor art event can be a great way to build an audience. But it's also an easy way to expose yourself to legal risk you may not have considered. When a guest trips on a cord, a participant burns their hand on a kiln, or a gust of wind sends your display flying, who’s liable?

This session will break down liability risks artists face when inviting the public into their studios, booths, and outdoor spaces, and will outline the practical steps artists can take before anyone walks through the door. What do general liability and event insurance actually cover? When does a waiver hold up and when is it just paper? What should artists look for in venue contracts? What precautions can artists take to reduce risk? Join us to find out, and to help prevent a claim from ever starting.

When you register, please feel free to include questions you wish to ask, or topics you'd like to see addressed by the lawyer. 

About the Workshop Facilitator

Lewis Waring is an experienced litigator with a passion for culture. Lewis takes a practical approach shaped by his work on construction and banking matters, and has a growing interest in entertainment law and legal issues affecting artists.