Traditional Artists Guild : Mission and History

What Is A Guild?

A guild is an association of people of the same trade or pursuits, formed to protect mutual interests and maintain standards of morality or conduct. Historically they were benefit societies or small business associations, also referred to as a trade union of sorts, since each crafter was a self-employed individual artisan or part of a small craft shop or co-operative. They exist in modern and medieval incarnations, both of which are discussed in this article. One's view of guilds tends to be heavily colored by one's view of political economy, since the whole history of trade, technology, intellectual property, regulated professions, social security, and professional ethics are entwined with the history of the guilds in Europe. -Wikipedia

Traditional Artists Guild was created in 1991 with the mission for Truth in Education, Cross-cultural Awareness and Artist's Rights. The Traditional Artist Guild creates a venue to disseminate art and knowledge within its deeper cultural context of traditions that are ancient and without boundaries. Artisans explore the roots of their genres to honor from which their talents arise.

This website contains examples of Guild members work, articles written about the elements of art, outlines of apprenticeships, examples of curriculum, articles about the elements of art as well as contracts for commissions.

Our Master Artisans carry on ancient traditions as their spirit guides them. The Traditional Artists Guild holds this up as a gold standard when looking at work of artisans at any level.

Artisans may enter the Traditional Artists Guild at any level after a request has been submitted through an academic review process.

•Master Artisan, an artisan who has been working within a genre for at least ten years or apprenticed with a Master Artisan of the Traditional Artists Guild at a Craftsman level for at least two years;

•Craftsman, an artisan who has completed at least two years apprenticeship with a Master Artisan within the Traditional Artists Guild;

•Apprentice, a student studying a specific genre for at least two years within the Traditional Artists Guild.

Internships are purely academic in nature and are aimed at students who would like to begin working with a Master Artisan, but do not yet have the knowledge or skills to do so.

Supporting Members receive quarterly newsletters and periodical articles written by Guild members. Supporting Members are encouraged to enter into the Popular Education process of the Guild.

Further information regarding the Traditional Artists Guild may be found on the Join the Guild page.