AMA News: January 2026 Newsletter
01. WSJ Freelance Contributor Agreement
Last month the AMA sent a letter to the Wall Street Journal expressing our concerns about their newly issued Freelance Photographer Contributor Agreement, set to take effect in 2026. As a community of artist representatives and production companies who work closely with freelance photographers, we believe it’s vital that contracts support fair, sustainable, and ethical partnerships.
Our main concerns center around the agreement’s “Work Made for Hire” classification, expanded sublicensing rights without additional compensation for creators, and increased expectations for deliverables without proportional pay. These changes could significantly impact freelancers’ ability to maintain viable businesses and earn a livable wage.
We’ve urged Dow Jones to pause the rollout of this agreement and to collaborate with freelancers and industry groups on a fairer contract. We’ll continue to advocate for transparency, fairness, and meaningful consultation in all industry agreements.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to protect the rights and livelihoods of creative professionals.
02. Webinar: The AI Conversation: From Terms to Real-World Impact
Tuesday, February 10 11AM PT / 2PM ET
Not sure how to navigate AI terminology or negotiate usage rights? Join the AMA community on February 10th for an open discussion on one of the most pressing and fast-moving topics in our industry. Bring your questions and be part of the conversation we’re all having.
After our recent roundtable with AMA members, it’s clear there’s a need to engage the broader community on this important topic. This session will be a practical, hands-on conversation designed to help our industry navigate real-world questions together.
We’ll cover:
- Key AI terminology and definitions
- Indemnification and other contract considerations
- Monetization Options
- Contract Protections
- Common questions and concerns members are encountering
If there are specific scenarios, contract language, or questions you’d like to put on the table, please feel free to submit them in advance or bring them to the discussion.
We hope you’ll join us for this conversation as we work toward shared understanding and stronger standards for our community.
Hosted By:
Kelly Montez - Apostrophe
Jen Jenkins - Giant Artists
Heather Elder - Heather Elder Represents
There is a fee for non-members to attend. Details below.
AMA Members + Partners: Free
Non-Members: $50 per person
AMA Members and Partners can register at the link below.
If you are not a member/partner, please email Jenn at the link below for more information.
Members + Partners - Be sure to log into your account to avoid the webinar fee
Registration for the event closes at 11AM ET on February 10th
*All sales are final*
Note: This webinar is for educational purposes.
03. Have you visited our Video Archives?
Did you know that the AMA has an online archive of webinars and townhalls and available online NOW.
Most videos are available to all, with a few available for purchase.
Recordings include:
- Guide to Insurances
- Copyright + Usage Trends Roundtable
- Understanding the Universal Bid Form with BlinkBid
- AI: The role of AI in the future of Creative Industry
- ImageRights: Get paid for your work
- Usage + New Media
- Creating Best Practices: Treatments
- Copyright: Valuing your work
- What is an artist management agency in 2025?
and many more!
You can search our video archives at the link below. All videos are available to members as part of your membership. If you don't have access to a private video, please email Jenn at the link below for access.
04. AMA Events
As part of our programming this year, we’re excited to celebrate the incredible work of your artists.
If your artists have any upcoming gallery shows, book signings, art exhibitions, or similar events, we’d love to hear about them! We’re eager to organize walk-throughs or special features to showcase and support our vibrant community.
To share these events, please reach out to Jenn using the link below.
05. Stealing Isn't Innovation
#StealingIsntInnovation - a new initiative from the Human Artistry Campaign.
Some members of Congress are considering proposals that would exempt AI training from copyright protections. This would allow companies to use your creative work to generate competing “AI art” without your permission or compensation.
Protecting the rights of artists and creators is essential to the future of our industry. Using creative work without consent or fair compensation undermines the jobs, culture, and trust that sustain our community.
View a current list of signees here.
You can sign up at the link below if you are interested in supporting this initiative. Please pass it along to anyone that may be interested.
06. 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 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
07. 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.
08. 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!
