AMA News: February 2026 Newsletter
01. Recording Now Available - The AI Conversation
On February 10th we held a webinar on AI. This was a practical, hands-on conversation designed to help our industry navigate real-world questions together.
We covered:
- Key AI terminology and definitions
- Indemnification and other contract considerations
- Monetization Options
- Contract Protections
- Common questions and concerns members are encountering
Hosted By:
Kelly Montez - Apostrophe
Jen Jenkins - Giant Artists
Heather Elder - Heather Elder Represents
A recording is now available for AMA Members, Partners, and paid attendees. You should have received an email earlier today with access information. If you did not, please email Jenn below.
Non-Members can purchase the webinar for $50 per person at the link below.
As a reminder, some AMA webinars are available for a fee. These conversations help support the AMA’s work as a not-for-profit and allow us to continue building resources, hosting events, and offering meaningful programming to our community.
02. AMA Committees
Committees are the heart of our association’s collaborative spirit.
We recently added a new committee - the AI Committee. This committee explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative industries.
Our committees offer a welcoming space to share ideas, set priorities, and make a real impact without a huge time commitment. Meetings are once a month for 30-45 minutes, with most work accomplished during that time.
AI Committee, Led by Heather Elder (Heather Elder Represents), Jen Jenkins (Giant Artists) + Kelly Montez (Apostrophe)
Events Committee, led by Director of Events Jonny Bell (Giant Artists)
Communications Committee, led by Communications Director Heather Elder (Heather Elder Represents)
Legislative Committee, led by Director of Business Affairs Erica Chadwick (ETC Creative)
Membership Committee, led by Membership Director Emily Heller (Jellybean Partners)
Partnership Committee, led by Partnership Director Dean Snyder (Print & Contact)
Programming Committee, led by Director of Programming Stephanie Pesakoff (Illustration Division)
Production Committee, led by Director of Producer Affairs Amy Kanagaki (Tann Services)
If you’re looking to have a meaningful voice in our future and connect with peers who share your vision, we invite you to join a committee and help move our industry forward.
Please Note: AMA Committees are for Members only
03. Calling the AMA Community
In conjunction with our petition on unlicensed AI training, we have drafted a series of letters for our community to send to their state representatives.
We are asking lawmakers to protect creatives from the unauthorized use of their work in the training of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
There are two letters:
- One for your Congressperson / Senator. You can utilize Resist Bot to research who that is for you.
- Second is directed to Adam Schiff, US Senator from California. He introduced Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act (H.R. 7913), which requires AI models to disclose the images used in training and provides artists with the ability to seek compensation for their use. We agree this is a great first step, but are also asking that he prohibit AI models from taking additional images in the future without obtaining written permission from the artist in advance of their introduction to the training model. We are asking lawmakers to take the following actions:
- Require explicit consent before any copyrighted work is used in AI training;
- Ensure fair compensation for the use of creative works by AI developers
- Reject any legislation that seeks to override strong state-level protections with weaker federal standards.
Please join us in sending letters far and wide. Please share this within your community and with your artists as well.
We are stronger together.
04. Hiring
Don't forget that the AMA has a job board where industry professionals regularly check for opportunities.
The Artist Management Association is visited by 17,000 unique visitors every year, and one of them could be your next indispensable hire!
