Philadelphia Artists Equity

Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Association, Inc., commonly known as Philadelphia Artists Equity, became an independent organization in 1997. It was founded as a chapter of a national organization of professional fine artists in 1949. Artists Equity works for the protection of artists’ rights and improved working and economic conditions for fine artists.

Artists Equity worked behind the scenes for the establishment of a Philadelphia City ordinance, entitled “Aesthetic Ornamentation of City Structures,” which was sponsored by Councilman Henry Sawyer, III, and adopted on his last day as a member of City Council in the final months of 1959. This ordinance established a requirement for one percent for art for city building projects.