1935: Federal Art Project (FAP)

In the Library of Congress: the New Deal provides work relief for artists through the Federal Art Project

1936: American Artist Congress/Art Front

Organization founded in 1936 in the USA in response to the call of the Popular Front and the American Communist Party for formations of literary and artistic groups against the spread of Fascism. In May 1935 a group of New York artists met to draw up the 'Call for an American Artists' Congress'; among the initiators were George Ault (1891-1948), Peter Blume, Stuart Davis, Adolph Denn, William Gropper (b 1897), Jerome Klein, Louis Lozowick (1892-1973), Moses Soyer, Niles Spencer and Harry Sternberg. Davis became one of the most vociferous promoters of the Congress and was not only the national executive secretary but also the editor of the organization's magazine, Art Front, until 1939.

1968: Canadian Artists' Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC)

Established by Canadian artists in 1968, CARFAC is the national voice of Canada's professional visual artists, defending artists' economic and legal rights and educating the public on fair dealing with artists.

1969: Art Workers' Coalition

What preceded our efforts? The Art Workers' Coalition: read their Published Documents and Open Hearing Documents courtesy of Primary Information.

1969: Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC)

In the New York Public Library's Archives: the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition was organized in January 1969 by a group of African American artists in response to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Harlem on My Mind.

1971: Seth Siegelaub's "The Artist's Reserved Rights Transfer And Sale Agreement"

Until things change: use this document. Hans Haacke still does.

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1972: International Wages for Housework Campaign

Founded in 1972 with the publication of Power of Women and the Subversion of the Community by Mariarosa Dalla Costa and Selma James, the International Wages for Housework Campaign demanded remuneration from the state for unwaged work in the home and community, asserting that the work women do outside of the market produces the whole working class - and thus the market economy, based on those workers, is built on women's unwaged work. Out of this movement came Black Women for Wages for Housework, Wages Due Lesbians, the English Collective of Prostitutes and WinVisible (women with visible and invisible disabilities).

1973: Hollis Frampton

Some things never change: The elucidating letter written to MoMA's Curator of Film by Hollis Frampton in 1973

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1985: The Guerrilla Girls

Reinventing the "f" word for the art world - feminism

2008: "State of the Arts"

When think-tanks become demands: A group exhibition project organized by Joseph del Pesco and commissioned by The Present Group

2008: A Bibliography

Studies of Artists by Donnell Butler, Princeton University

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2008: How 'valuable' are artists?

The NEA's 2008 Artists In The Workforce Study

2009: Mary Beth Edelson's "Artist Contract"

Drafted collectively by a group of international artists and art workers for the benefit of artists, it can be tailored to suit your needs. Download it here