Benefits of New York Membership

Community
Professional Growth
Information
Health Insurance
Discounts

Your membership in the Graphic Artists Guild of New York makes you eligible for a number of benefits. You are a member of a vibrant, active artists community. You’ll be able to meet other working artists at monthly meetings and presentations. You’ll be able to attend Chapter seminars and classes for discounted rates. You’ll be eligible for health care through our partner organizations. You’ll receive discounts on products and services. Above all, you’re part of an organization that is working to better the lives of artists!

Your benefits include the benefits offered to all Guild members, such as PEGs, Guild News, discounts on products and services, and other resources. Click here (http://www.gag.org/benefits/index.php) to review your benefits as a Guild member, as listed on the National website.

Community

The Graphic Artists Guild of New York provides numerous ways our members can meet, network, and grow their circle of colleagues and connections. Visit our calendar for meeting dates and locations.

Networking: Every quarter, our members meet for Tipsy Tuesdays, -- watch the calendar for location and date! This is an opportunity for us to socialize and unwind over $4 Mai Tais and Pang’s Punch. Currently Tipsy Tuesdays are meeting at Otto’s Shrunken Head, 538 E 14th St, btween Avenues A & B. Guests are welcome.

Annual All-Members Get-Together: Once a year, members are invited to get together for a free pot-luck and portfolio share. The chapter board of directors attends to meet and answer questions about the Guild, and members are encouraged to share any concerns they may have, or to run for any open positions on the board.

Special interest groups: Every month, special interest groups meet to discuss industry issues, listen to guest speakers, and exchange information. Members are invited to attend any meetings, either within their discipline, or in a new area of activity. Members are not required to attend monthly meetings, but we do encourage our members to become involved, regular attendees of a special interest group to get the most from their experience. Currently, we have special interest groups for illustrators, graphics designers, cartoonists, digital media, and children’s book illustration. To learn more about our special interest groups, click here .

Committees: Our committees provide services vital to the functioning of our Chapter. Because we are a grassroots, volunteer organization, our mission is only accomplished through the work of our volunteers. Involvement in one of our committees is a great way to pick up a skill, affect how the Guild functions, and gain professional contacts. Currently our active committees are: advocacy, newsletter, membership, and Picture Show (Illustration Marketplace). We’re also looking for members to take on our PR/Event Planning, committee. Click here to find out more about our committees.

Professional Growth

Seminars and classes: Income from our events and classes provide our operating budget. However, Guild members are able to attend events and classes at a large discount.. A wide range of topics are covered: business related, such as starting your own business or financial planning, career growth, design and illustration trends, copyrights and licensing, technology, such as website design. Classes are smaller, permitting more one-on-one attention. Non-members are welcome to attend for a higher entrance fee.

Picture Show: Offered biannually, Picture Show is the chapter’s Illustration Marketplace. Participating illustrators purchase table space for an evening gala, which is attended by hundreds of art directors and buyers. The event provides an opportunity for illustrators to show their portfolios and network with potential clients. Picture Show is open only to Guild members. In 2005, Picture Show took place on October 20th at the Art Directors Club. Click here to view last year's Picture Show website

Information

Update: The chapter publishes Update, a quarterly newsletter which covers topics relevant to our members. Update includes recaps of our committee activities, a calendar of events, members discounts on Apple products, and news from national and from our members. Members are encouraged to submit articles and artwork,

e-Newsletter: At the end of every week, the chapter sends out our member e-Newsletter, which announces upcoming chapter events, announcements, local events of interest to our members, and member discounts. If you have not been receiving the e-Newsletter and would like to, email ny@gag.org.

Health Insurance

The Graphic Artists Guild of New York does not broker insurance plans. However, your membership in the Guild makes you eligible for insurance with HIP, Oxford, CIGNA or GHI through any of our affiliated organizations. Members in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are eligible for at least one of a number of plans. Click here for a synopsis of the plans currently available.

Member Discounts

Local businesses offer our members discounts on their services and products:

The Joy of Code: A 12-Week Online Course in Creating a Website Bud Kraus, faculty member of Pratt Institute's Professional Studies and Continuing Education School, is offering a $25 discount to Guild members on his online workshop on creating websites. The course is appropriate for both visual artists looking to expand their skills, and for those with some experience in HTML and CSS. Click here for more information. To contact Bud directly, email him at bud@trynet.com

Apple Discounts: As a member of the Guild you are entitled to discounts on Apple and related products. Discounts are announced in our weekly e-Newsletter, and are listed in Update, our quarterly newsletter.