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The Graphic Artists Guild

© Suzanne Hill

Introduction

The Graphic Artists Guild is an organization devoted to individual freelance artists as they negotiate the business of making a living by producing their art. Artists in many areas are represented: illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, web developers, multimedia creators, and studio artists. Through the Guild, artists are able to network, stay alert to what’s happening in the art world, and benefit from contact with their peers. Artists learn better ways to deal with clients and vendors and how to negotiate more effective contracts. They are informed about employment opportunities. The Guild forms a safety net for these artists who would be otherwise at the whim of agencies, employers, unusual business practices, and new or difficult to understand laws.

Purpose

Far from working in sheltered or serene studios, today's artists are in the thick of the business world, handling issues they may have never considered during art school or apprenticeships. Managing money, using technology, understanding copyright law, developing pricing structures, and networking with other professionals are vital skills for today's artists. The Guild provides a valuable outlet for all pertinent business concerns for artists.

The Guild is comprised of various Chapters throughout the U.S. The level of activity for each Chapter will vary according to the interests and needs of the members. Any members not located near a Chapter can become a member of the At-Large Chapter to benefit from the Guild’s resources. The Guild will help members form individual chapters or small groups if a band of artists so desires. Individual Chapters feature luncheons, discussions about public decisions, advice on contacting legislators, parties, workshops on cold calling and tax planning, and help finding freelance projects. The Guild’s Mission Statement is as follows:
"The Graphic Artists Guild promotes and protects the economic interest of its members. It is committed to improving conditions for all creators of graphic art and raising standards for the entire industry. The Guild is a union that embraces creators of graphic art at all levels of skill and expertise who create works of graphic art intended for presentation as originals or reproductions."

Benefits

Essentially, the Guild has formed a union to represent the best interests of freelance artists. They advocate for artists’ rights. They demand fair treatment for artists in the business arena. Regarding privacy, they ensure that artists have a voice in the formation and enactment of copyright laws.

One invaluable aspect of the Graphic Artists Guild is the development of the Graphic Artists Guild’s Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, a reference book for art and design professionals. This manual reflects current pricing trends and trade customs for national markets, and is relied upon by artists who sell their services as well as their clients who buy them. The book also provides beneficial information on exploring new markets, negotiating deals, and writing contracts.