FAQs

MEMBERSHIP

1. What’s the status of my membership?
In September, the Graphic Artists Guild sends out membership renewal forms. Additionally, there is a membership form and a renewal form on this site. Click here to become a new member of the Guild. Click here to renew your membership. 

Depending on when you join, the Guild prorates your membership dues for your first year so that your renewal will always fall in September, at which time, you will pay the annual dues. 

Information about the benefits of membership is available online here.

If you have any other questions about your membership, please call the Guild office at 212-791-3400 x12 and we’ll mail you an application or answer your questions. You can also email us.


2. May I pay my dues by credit card over the phone?
You may renew your membership with a credit card over the phone. New members need to submit the full application with your signature and payment, so that needs to be mailed or completed with the online application.

3. I haven’t received my membership materials from the Guild even though I paid. You guys haven’t forgotten me, have you?
Never. It typically takes about 3-4 weeks for you to receive your membership materials, including your copy of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. If it’s been longer than that, please call us right away and we’ll chase it down: 212-791-3400.

4. How do I notify the Guild of a name, chapter or address change?
Send us an email. We’ll take it from there.


5. What’s the difference between being a full member and an associate member?
Your application explains this, so you may choose when you sign up. Simply, full members are working artists who derive more than half of their income from work they do as graphic artists.

Associate members are people engaged in the graphic arts field in some way who support the goals and mission of the Guild, such as lawyers, agents and artists’ reps, or they are people who make less than half of their income from their artwork. Associate members do not have voting rights and cannot hold office.

6. Am I eligible to become a member of the Guild? What sort of artist must I be to join?
The Guild supports all graphic artists (including, but not limited to: designers, illustrators, cartoonists, animators, digital artists and photographers) and raising standards for the entire industry. The Guild embraces graphic artists at all skill levels. See FAQ about levels of membership.

7. Where’s my nearest chapter?
The Chapters page on this site lists them all with links to their own sites. Click here to jump to that page.

8. How do I find out about events sponsored by my chapter?
The best way is to visit the chapter’s site. Click here to jump to the page that carries the chapter links.

9. I lost my proof of membership. How can I get another copy?
Please us send an email and we’ll send you a replacement.

RESOURCES

10. I already have PEGs. Are there any other books I can receive as part of my membership?
Sure. Contact us for a list of titles. Then just include a note identifying which book you’d like when you register.


11. Does the Guild offer classes?
The National office offers teleclasses for members a few times a year and audio tapes and transcripts are available for purchase here.

Many individual chapters also offer classes. Participating in these is a great way to get involved.

12. Can the Guild help me in any way with health insurance?
The Guild does not directly offer any insurance; however, depending on where you live, there are organizations who offer individual and group policies for Guild members. Please review your membership materials, or click here for detailed information.

13. What other insurance options exist for Guild members?
The Guild does not offer insurance policies; however, we do work with certain providers who offer policies. Please visit the Guild’s Benefits page to learn what’s available to you. Click here.

14. I need some legal help with my business. Can you help me or recommend someone?
The Guild has a national network of lawyers who are expert in the issues we most commonly face: copyright and intellectual property, contract negotiations, Internet issues, licensing, royalties, and collections. 

Every state is different, so you will be best served to consult a lawyer in your state who knows the particular laws affecting your situation and who is licensed to practice where you work.

We can e-mail or snail mail you information about lawyers available in your area. Although we know we don’t have lawyers in every state, we will do our best to connect you with someone. Please forward your requests to the Guild.

Note: We suggest that you discuss fees with the attorney before you accept advice or assistance. Only you can decide if the attorney is appropriate for your situation. The Guild will not interfere in the attorney/client relationship, and are not responsible for the lawyer or his/her fees.

We also offer you access to Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., to help you protect your legal rights. Since you can’t predict when you might need a lawyer, and most likely haven’t budgeted for it, this membership provides legal help when you need it.

For additional information, and to become a member:
visit online: www.prepaidlegal.com/info/michaelbornia

15. Do you have digital electronic copies of contracts I can use?
Digital copies are a Guild member benefit. If you’re a member, call or email us for copies: (212) 791-3400.

For non-members, our book, Graphic Artists Guild: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines Handbook (commonly known as PEGs) has a number of sample contracts for your use. Members receive a copy as part of membership.

16. I’m confused about how Copyright laws work or how to register my work. Where can I get this information?
Our Advocacy page provides a lot of this information. Click here to navigate there. If you need more detailed information, try www.copyright.gov or check out our teleclass, “Own it, Protect It,” which has a lot of the information you probably want. Chapter Two of the Graphic Artists Guild: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines Handbook (commonly known as PEGs) also has a lot of this information. If none of these sources works for you, please email Tricia.


17. I heard that the Guild is part of the UAW. Is this true? Should I receive UAW benefits or have access to their scholarships and grants?
While the Guild was affiliated with the UAW at one time, we severed our partnership in 2004. Therefore, no benefits that are tied to the UAW are available to Guild members.

18. How do I start a new chapter of the Guild?
Here’s the information you need to get started. Click to this link.

19. Where can I find copies of the disability symbols?
Right here. Click.

ARTISTS

20. How do I locate a [fill in the blank] type of artist in my area?
We have a list of member portfolios on the site here with their regions provided. Select the type of artist you need and then take a look at the work presented. Links are provided to the individual members’ website.

21. I’m trying to find an artist so I can get permission to duplicate his/her work. Can you help?
Email Tricia and we’ll see if they’re part of the Guild and refer your inquiry to them.