If You Are an Arts and Culture Organization that Retains Independent Contractors, or, You Are an Independent Contractor -- Make Sure You Are Informed About State Law AB-5 and How it can Affect You

AB-5 Will Go Into Effect on January 1, 2020, So There Is No Time to Waste!

AB-5 tightens up the rules used to determine whether a worker can be classified as an independent contractor. While the bill intends to advance worker rights, benefits, and protections (only available to employees), the law will have an impact on arts sector organizations and individuals. Use this page to access a variety of materials and opportunities to learn more!

Also, please take this short survey by Californians for the Arts and share so arts advocates can learn more about your interests and concerns to share with lawmakers!

Many organizations and individuals have stepped up to support California's art and culture sector by producing materials and events to inform and protect you or your organization. Make sure to access the following materials or join these regional events to retrieve information and share it with your colleagues.

We will add more information as it becomes available.

AB-5 Resources

Take Action Toolkit - Learn how to send a letter or message to the lawmaker about the impact AB-5 has on you or your organization while there is still time (published, March 2, 2020).

White paper from WolfBrown and the Brown Law Group - "California Assembly Bill 5, worker misclassificiations, and their effects on nonprofit arts and culture organizations"

AB-5 fact sheet (by legislative author) fact sheet link

California Lawyers for the Arts Video/s of Seminar on AB-5

California Lawyers for the Arts Life After AB-5 Toolkit - (published Feb. 2020)

Local Educational and Training Events (upcoming)

Dealing with the Drama--How the New Independent Contractor Law Affects the Arts Community - free webinar by Stoel Rives LLP and Californians for the Arts - December 3, 2019, 10-11:30 AM

Arts Education Contractor or Employee. What you need to know - free webinar by Teaching Artist Guild - December 6, 2019, 10-11 AM

AB-5 Town Hall (by Theater Bay Area and Californians for the Arts) December 10, 2019, 6 PM (at Z Space)

Articles

Teaching Artists Guild "Making Teaching Artists Employees" by Jean Johnstone, Executive Director

Californians for the Arts "News from the front lines, AB5: Where are we now and where do we go from here?"

Hollywood Reporter "Everbody Is Freaking Out" : Freelance Writers Scramble to Make Sense of New California Law"

UC Berkeley "Estimating the Coverage of Californias New AB-5 Law"

Los Angeles Times "How AB5 has instilled fear and confusion in California’s arts community" (pdf)

Survey

Please take and share this short survey regarding AB-5 to share how it may affect you or your business!!