Art models play a crucial role in the art world, yet many struggle to make a living due to unreliable hours and varying wages. Aaron Bogan, a professional art model and illustrator, shared his experience of moving from the Bay Area to New York City in search of more modeling opportunities. Despite working long hours, Bogan is only earning $22 an hour, which is above minimum wage but below a living wage.
Bogan emphasized the physical and mental challenges of being a figure model, describing it as a demanding and often overlooked profession. He highlighted the toll it takes on the body, sharing a personal experience of developing a painful ulcer on his leg due to standing poses. Despite the hardships, Bogan and other models continue to dedicate themselves to their craft.
A group of models at the Art Students League, an institution that contracts 80-90 models, is pushing for improved labor conditions. The newly formed Art Students League Model Collective is advocating for higher pay, stable working hours, and better amenities for models. Anna Veedra, a leading advocate for art models, is spearheading the effort through her organization, The Model Tea Project.
In a survey conducted by Veedra, over half of the respondents reported being unable to save money for retirement or emergencies. Many models rely on public assistance programs to make ends meet, with some earning below $35,000 per year. The survey aims to provide data to support the model community’s efforts for better working conditions and respect in the art world.
While the Art Students League stated its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for models, questions remain about plans to raise pay or improve conditions for models. As the institution celebrates its 150th year, models are hopeful that their voices will be heard and changes will be made to ensure fair compensation and recognition for their vital contribution to the arts. Models in the art industry have long been an essential part of the creative process, yet their value and compensation have often been overlooked. A century and a half later, models are hoping to set a high standard for the industry and demand the respect and pay they deserve.
One model working at the Art Students League expressed their frustration with the insulting pay they receive for the demanding work they do. Another model felt that the institution takes them for granted, leading to financial struggles. Robin Hoskins, an art model from Cincinnati, shared her desperation as she searched for retail jobs earlier this year due to the inconsistency in modeling work hours.
Hoskins described the rigorous routine she follows to maintain her physical health, comparing it to that of a professional athlete. Despite the physical toll, she emphasized the importance of being understood and appreciated for the contributions models make to the arts.
According to art history expert Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen, art models in the 1800s held a status similar to that of art professors and received comparable stipends. However, as the 19th century came to a close, models’ status and pay deteriorated, leading to the struggles they face today.
Crystal Durant, a life model, writer, and arts educator, recounted instances of misconduct and racism she has experienced while modeling. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the crucial role models play in drawing artists to institutions like the Art Students League.
Models have not always felt empowered to voice their concerns about mistreatment, pay, or inappropriate behavior. In the Bay Area, the Models Guild advocates for fair pay and working conditions for models, setting a standard rate of $50 per hour for a minimum booking of three hours.
Guild mediator Prudence Toliva works to ensure models are treated with respect and receive fair compensation. She shared instances of harassment and nonpayment that models have faced and highlighted the importance of advocating for their rights.
Despite the progress made in some regions, models still struggle to make ends meet and worry about their future in the industry. Titania Kumeh, a model and former journalist, also emphasized the need for fair pay and recognition of the valuable work models do in the art world.
As models continue to push for fair treatment and pay, they hope to set a high standard for the industry and ensure that their contributions are valued and respected. By advocating for their rights and speaking out against mistreatment, models aim to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all artists. Art models in the industry have long been undervalued and undercompensated for their work. However, thanks to the efforts of organizations like Kumeh, there has been a positive shift in the way models are being treated and paid. Kumeh credits the organization with raising pay across the board for models in the area, acknowledging the various expenses and challenges that models face.
Titania, a model who has been vocal about the lack of fair compensation in the industry, highlighted the disparity between the high prices that some artists sell their works for and the low wages that models receive. It is a common issue that models face, where their likenesses are used to create valuable art pieces, yet they do not see a fair share of the profits. This discrepancy has been a long-standing concern for many models like Titania.
Hoskins, an experienced art model in New York City, emphasized the physical and mental demands of the job, stressing the need for recognition and respect for the work that models put in. She expressed the desire for a dignified wage that reflects the effort and skill required to pose for artists. Hoskins emphasized that models are human beings who deserve to be compensated fairly for their work, just like any other professional in a successful industry.
Overall, the efforts of organizations like Kumeh are making a positive impact on the art modeling industry by advocating for better pay and benefits for models. By raising awareness about the challenges that models face and pushing for fair compensation, these organizations are helping to create a more equitable and sustainable environment for art models. It is essential for the industry to continue to value and respect the work of models, ensuring that they can earn a decent living and be appreciated for their contributions.
