Message from the Commissioner - Free Financial Advice for Artists
Dear colleagues:

I'm writing to let you know about the second personal finance event specifically designed for artists and arts administrators from all disciplines. This program is organized jointly by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Financial Empowerment and City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations.

The Art of Money: Personal Finance Resources for Artists will take place on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from Noon - 5PM at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City, Queens (31-10 Thomson Avenue at 47th Avenue). We will offer a free day of financial workshops and counseling designed to help individuals from the creative sector assess their personal financial status and determine their financial needs. Participants will be able to:


* Learn how to access and use credit, reduce existing debt, and plan for the highs and low of irregular income;
* Sign up for a free, confidential, one-on-one consultation with a financial counselor from the NYC Financial Empowerment Center in Queens who can help you manage credit and debt and provide strategic referrals to other public and private resources;
* Learn about tax services and refunds;
* Meet representatives from organizations that can help access services to support creative work.

Arts & crafts for children will be available. For more information visit nyc.gov/artofmoney<http://www.nyc.gov/artofmoney>.

We are excited to have this opportunity to serve the field and hope you will be able to help us spread the word. Please share this information with your employees and colleagues. A flyer for the event is attached to this email. Please contact Chelsea Scott at cscott@culture.nyc.gov<mailto:cscott@culture.nyc.gov> with any questions.

Sincerely,

Kate D. Levin
Commissioner
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs