If we don't stop these practices, other clients WILL follow them. I am a board member of SPAR, a member of GAG and SCBWI. As an illustrators representative, I encourage you to educate yourself about this effort. Log onto the sites at the end of this article, learn more about this issue, and if you wish, send a letter to the President of CN through one of these organizations to have YOUR voice heard.

In the Children's Publishing Market, we already deal with the "Work For Hire" contracts that should be, at the very least, the less abusive "School Rights Only" contracts. (And unless they are paid for separately, an artist should always ask for and expect the return of their original art!) The organizations listed below are working to maintain and raise the standards for creative businesses. They offer a system of education, knowledge, and active support that CAN and DO make better the conditions under which artists work. Illustration is a business. Consider writing a letter, sending it to one of these organizations and taking a personal step toward stopping the Artist Abuse!

For a sample letter and more information:

http://www.gag.org/news/news_2000/conde.html
http://www.theispot.com - log onto Art Talk - add your voice

ADDRESS your letter to: Steven T. Florio, President and CEO, Conde Nast Publications, Inc. 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036

SEND your letter to: Conde Nast Protest, c/o Graphic Artists Guild, 90 John Street, New York, NY 10038

*other organizations who will forward letters:

The Society of Photographers and Artists Representatives (SPAR)
The Association of Media Photographers (ASMP)
The Editorial Photographers (EP)
The Illustrators' Partnership of America (IPA)

Christina (Chris) A. Tugeau writes a regular column for the NYC Metro SCBWI newsletter for illustrators. She is an artist and artist agent for 35 artists in the Children's Publishing Market.