About Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA) is a not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization, which provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organizations in all areas of the arts.
LCA was founded in 1972 by a group of Chicago lawyers to help with the legal and business needs of artists and arts organizations. Over the years, it has connected tens of thousands of clients with volunteer attorneys from many of the state’s leading law firms. LCA has partnered with organizations including the Goodman Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Marwen, as well as Forward Momentum Chicago, The Hideout, and Chopin Theatre.
LCA is the only Illinois provider of pro bono legal services dedicated to individuals and organizations in all areas of the arts, providing free legal services to financially eligible clients in music, dance, theatrical, literary, visual, digital media, arts education, and much more. LCA provides and facilitates legal assistance across a wide variety of legal issues, including contracts, employment, copyrights, trademarks and many others.
Additionally, LCA offers high-quality seminars and workshops. Programs for artists and other non-lawyers assist individuals with understanding legal concepts that apply to their area of the arts, while programs for lawyers are as instructive and helpful for the seasoned practitioner as they are for those seeking to develop capabilities in new areas.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Service to the Arts Community
LCA has the opportunity to evolve from a primarily legal aid organization into a more fully integrated provider of legal, business, and organizational support for the arts sector. The next Executive Director will be charged with driving the full integration of the BVA-related services into LCA offerings.
Alongside a talented and dedicated LCA staff, the next leader will deepen LCA’s commitment to the arts ecosystem by providing service pathways for clients and ensuring that artists and arts organizations experience a seamless entry point regardless of need, positioning LCA as a true capacity-building partner, not solely a referral-based legal service.
Chicago’s arts and culture sector is at a key inflection point, building renewed momentum in the post-pandemic landscape. This is an opportunity to support arts organizations throughout their lifecycle and help build lasting sustainability. The next Executive Director can elevate LCA as a connector across artists, law firms, corporate partners, foundations, and cultural institutions—helping align fragmented support systems into a more coordinated ecosystem for the creative arts.
Learn more about Lawyers for the Creative Arts here: https://law-arts.org/
The Opportunity
For more than five decades, LCA has served as a vital resource and trusted advocate for artists, arts organizations, and creative entrepreneurs by providing access to pro bono legal services, education, and professional support. With a longstanding reputation for integrity, impact, and deep connection to the arts community, LCA stands at an important moment of transition and possibility.
Following the tenure of a highly respected and long-serving Executive Director, the next leader will inherit a mission-driven staff and Board. This leader will guide an organization with strong community credibility, a committed network of volunteer attorneys and supporters, and a legacy of service across the creative arts sector. At the same time, this leadership transition presents a unique opportunity to thoughtfully steer the organization into its next chapter — honoring its history while positioning it for continued relevance, visibility, and modernization in an evolving arts and nonprofit landscape.
Experience in the management of legal services is preferred, but not required.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $175,000 with a generous benefits package. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Chicago region. This is a full-time position based in a hybrid work environment.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Tiara Muse and Shelby Woods. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.