Atlanta/Regional Artists Union

I am a working artist or employee in one of the following fields: visual or conceptual studio or public art, film, theater or performing arts, text-based arts, or experimental arts.

By signing this petition I am affirming that I would be seriously interested in becoming a member of a union for workers in the creative and arts industry living and/or working in the Southeastern U.S. region that surrounds the city of Atlanta, Georgia including: all of the State of Georgia and portions of the bordering States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.

If sufficient interest is made evident by the number of people having signed this petition, we will move forward in creating this union, and then and only then will members be asked to pay any membership dues, which will then be based on a sliding scale of the members' income level.

In exchange for paying those annual dues and exercising my equal right and responsibility to vote on matters before the union, I would join my fellow union members in actively and proactively working to provide for all union members the following items:

-access to group health insurance rates, and other forms of insurance
-monthly informational newsletter and/or website
-organizing and lobbying power
-access to a network for bartering goods and services, both professional and otherwise (from web assistance to slides of artwork, promotions or publications for exhibitions, and even services such as childcare, ride share, etc)
-increased access to the arts for minorities and disadvantaged populations such as the poor and the disabled
-discounts for members on arts and creative supplies
-discounts for members on arts events or memberships at arts organizations
-exclusive opportunities to exhibit/perform at union events
-discounts for members on arts, creative, or continuing education classes
-opportunities for members to attend or participate in lectures or seminars
-a union card and union merchandise for the purpose of preserving and promoting membership
-overall improved relations and communications between artists and the community at-large, including government, educational, and other non-arts entities, for the purpose of raising awareness on the depth and scale of value that is offered to or augmented within the community through increased involvement and exposure to the arts

Such a union will be called AURORA: Alliance of United, Registered, and Organized Regional Artists

Membership in AURORA will be open, meaning that any member of AURORA may also hold membership in other unions.

AURORA will never discriminate in its policies or membership with regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, wealth/poverty status, credit history status, health or medical history, or sexual orientation.

AURORA will operate as a non-profit labor union in accordance with all State and Federal laws and regulations therein.

Further details of the structure of AURORA will be developed by the members of AURORA at such time that the union is established.