Since its inception, the Graphic Artists Guild has fought for justice and equity for working graphic artists. In line with our mission statement and our origin as a labor organization, our advocacy work has focused on the economic realities of illustrators and designers. To that end, we’ve educated working artists on best business practices, advocated for fairness in the copyright system, supported legislation which benefits graphic artists, and communicated with policy makers on what our community needs to thrive.
However, our efforts are worth nothing if the economic rewards of their labor is not equally accessible to all our members. Inequity persists in the United States. This means that our members, and those in the larger community of graphic artists, do not all have equal access to financial resources, fair wages, and basic necessities such as quality health care.
In recognition of this, the Graphic Artists Guild is committed to pursuing a more diverse representation among our membership and on our board. We’re working to promote social justice and diversity in all Guild activities, addressing issues related but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, and ability. We’re also committed to addressing the responsibility graphic artists have collectively, in creating and contributing to a fairer society. This extends to how we pursue our craft, how we conduct our business relationships, and how we add to the greater public good.
If our members cannot thrive equally as graphic artists, based on the merits of their work, then we will have failed. We value inclusion as a core element of our mission. We firmly believe that together, we go farther in accomplishing that mission.
The Code of Fair Practice upholds existing laws and traditions to help define an ethical standard for business practices and professional conduct in the graphic communications industry. The Code is designed to promote equity for those engaged in creating, selling, buying, and using graphics. It has been used successfully since its formulation by thousands of industry professionals to create equitable business relationships.
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