committed to service

OUR HISTORY

Artists Equity was founded in 1949 as part of a national non-profit organization for professional fine artists. Governed by an all-volunteer board of working artists, our purpose is to work collectively with individual visual artists, as well as with other organizations, throughout the greater Philadelphia area to address the concerns of the profession. In 1997, the Philadelphia Chapter voted to become an independent organization to better serve the needs of its members and community.

Historically, Artists Equity championed improved economic and working conditions for artists, as well as the protection and expansion of artists' rights. Our accomplishments include the successful establishment of a 1% for art ordinance in Philadelphia (the first of its kind in the country), the organization of a Symposium for Health Hazards in the Visual Arts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the sponsorship of many celebrations of the visual arts throughout the Delaware Valley.

CURRENT GOALS AND PROGRAMS

Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity continues to work for these important historic goals. Our current advocacy projects include efforts to establish fair guidelines for juried exhibitions and to require clear documentation for original prints and reproductions.

Artists Equity benefits individual artists and the community in many other ways. Past community outreach projects include free art workshops for children and studio tours open to the public. In addition, we sponsor at least two exhibition opportunities each year.

Other services include newsletters, and informative programs with topics that range from copyright law to good framing and conservation techniques to marketing. Networking opportunities and critiques are additional benefits to artists who often work in solitude.

Working together, we can accomplish far more than we can as individuals.

Become a member today!

ARTISTS EQUITY BOARD MEMBERS 2007-2008 SEASON

Our Directors and Officers are working artists who have exhibited for many years.

OFFICERS

Karen Kappe Nugent, President
Donna Usher, 1st Vice President
Jim Ulrich, 2nd Vice President
Elaine Bass, Board Secretary
Rose Brein Finkel, Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Sarah Canfield, Director
Edwina Brennan, Director
Shobha Menon, Director
Anne Zetterberg, Director
Sandi Neiman Lovitz, Director
Jeremey Graeff, Director

NON-VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Doris Silk, Immediate Past President
Barbara J. Zucker, President Emerita
Burton Wasserman, Honorary President
Howard Alber, Honorary Director
Leo Weisz, Honorary Director

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Exhibitions Barbara J. Zucker 610-287-7086
Business Practices Paulette Bensignor 610-664-0972
Database Claire Giblin 717-872-8418
Board Development Jim Ulrich 215-441-0280
Communications Karen Kappe Nugent 610-941-2850
Newsletter Peggy Schiff Hill 610-635-1115

---------------------------------------------

Health Hazard Hotline
If you have a question about the safety of working with artists's materials, contact AE member and noted author on the subject, Merle Spandorfer 215-379-2813.