Artist Management Association

What Artist Management Association does

Artist Management Association (AMA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit trade association founded in 2020 and headquartered in San Francisco, serving commercial artist representatives and management companies. Its members include firms representing photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, directors, creative directors, illustrators, movement directors, and related creative talent in advertising, editorial, and fine art markets. In 2025, AMA expanded membership eligibility to include independent commercial production companies, broadening its footprint across the commercial creative production chain. The organization is led by a Board of Directors that includes founder Heather Elder (Treasurer and Founding Board Member) and operates with a lean staff of 1–10 employees.

AMA's core offering is a membership program priced at $1,200 per year, billed annually with auto-renewal, providing access to educational programming, events, committees, legislative advocacy, and a library of industry-standard resources. These resources include the Universal Bid Form (UBF) co-developed with AICP, legal and HR templates, bankruptcy and solvency tools, usage-rights guidance (including AI-specific contract language), DEI organization referrals, and production guidelines such as COVID-19 protocols. Secondary revenue comes from job listing fees ($50 for two weeks, $75 for four weeks) posted on the association's site.

AMA's technology footprint is minimal — it is not a software company and discloses no proprietary platform. Its go-to-market is sales-led and community-driven: direct membership outreach, committee participation, events, and a curated partner ecosystem (Lookbooks, CiMs, Cypress LLP, Taylor & Taylor, APA, ImageRights, Lettuce Financial, and others) that delivers member discounts. The association is funded through dues and partner contributions, with no disclosed institutional backing, funding rounds, or parent organization.

Name

Artist Management Association

Legal name

Artist Management Association

Website

https://artistmanagementassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Artist Management Association is a U.S. nonprofit trade association founded in 2020 that sets standards, provides resources, and advocates for commercial artist representatives and, as of 2025, independent commercial production companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Artist Management (MPAIAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Artist Booking, Talent Buying & Agency Services (MPAGAAAF), Creator Management & Talent Representation (BPAFAHAB)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Artist representation advocacy
• Commercial photography standards
• Membership industry resources
• Creative talent management

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: AMA generates primary revenue through annual membership dues of $1200 per year, billed annually. Membership provides full access to all resources, tools, programming, events, and advocacy initiatives.
2. Job Listing Fees: Secondary revenue stream from posting job listings: 2 weeks for $50 or 4 weeks for $75.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Artist Management Association (AMA) is a nonprofit trade association that provides commercial artist representatives and management companies with industry standards, shared resources, educational programming, and legislative advocacy. Its core paid offering is annual membership at $1,200 per year, granting access to bidding templates (including the Universal Bid Form developed with AICP), legal and HR guidance, DEI initiatives, job listings, member directories, and partner discounts.

Product overview

AMA is a membership-based trade association rather than a software product company. It provides industry standards, resources, and advocacy for commercial artist representatives and production companies. The organization offers membership access to educational programming, bidding templates (including the Universal Bid Form), legal resources, HR/operations tools, DEI organizations, and industry-wide guidelines. In 2025, AMA expanded membership to include independent commercial production companies. The association also facilitates job listings, partner directories, and various committees for industry collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AMA Membership Annual membership program priced at $1,200 per year with automatic renewal, providing commercial artist representatives and management companies with access to resources, educational programming, events, industry standards, legislative advocacy, and member discounts.
• Universal Bid Form (UBF) Standardized bidding template co-created with AICP for photo production, providing common bidding standards covering markup, insurance, and admin fee negotiations, distributed through partners Blinkbid and CiMS.
• Production Resources National guidelines for photo production, COVID-19 guidance, and DEI organizations to support industry best practices and diversity initiatives, available to the broader public.
• Legal Resources Bankruptcy FAQ, client solvency tools, and legal guidance to help members navigate legal challenges in the commercial artist representation industry.
• Glossaries and Definitions Reference resource providing an AI and data-protection glossary, terms and conditions glossary, and markup definitions for industry standardization and clarity.
• Usage Rights Resources FAQs, comprehensive guide, and chart of usages for understanding usage rights in advertising, including AI usage language for contracts.
• Job Listings Fee-based platform for posting and viewing job listings in the artist management and production industry. Job postings available for 2 weeks at $50 or 4 weeks at $75.
• Member Directory Directory of AMA member companies representing photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, directors, creative directors, illustrators, and other creative talent in commercial advertising, editorial, and fine art.
• Member Perks and Discounts Discounted services from partner companies including studios, insurance, legal services, and financial platforms for AMA members.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Agency SourceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform for reps and agents to find new clients at agencies, brands, editorial and production companies.
• American Photographic Artists (APA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit trade association of photographers working in advertising, editorial, commercial, and fine-art sectors. APA is a core partner providing business tools, educational programs, and creative inspirations for photographic artists.
• Cypress LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBoutique law firm specializing in representing representatives, producers, and artists in the commercial and editorial photography industry since inception. Provides expertise in contract, intellectual property, and employment laws.
• Dust Studios LAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFully equipped rental house in West Hollywood offering equipment, studio spaces, Sprinters, Cube Trucks, grip and lighting gear, and production supplies. 13,000 sq. ft. creative hub with five efficient studios.
• Foto CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier destination for sales, rental and support of professional photographic gear in the Flatiron district. Offers 25% member discount on rentals.
• FX GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhoto/video production service in Hawaiian Islands with 35 years of experience. Offers production management, coordination, location scouting, budgeting, permitting, logistics, and crew services.
• Kadota ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull service production support including project budgeting, crew hiring, scouting, casting, on set production, post production, and accounts payable.
• LookbookscoreTechnology or IntegrationWorkflow management platform for creative agencies providing booking tools, travel management, job estimation, e-sign integration, billing and accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Netsuite. Drives over $2 billion in revenue via platform.
• Mayo StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier New York City production studio with in-house set shop. Over 10,000 sq ft of shooting space with open studio space for custom sets and pre-built House Sets.
• Shake ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld-renowned stills and motion production company specializing in casting, location sourcing, and production services. Offices in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Caribbean, Morocco, and Miami.
• Taylor & TaylorcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInsurance brokerage offering specialized insurance for production companies, photographers and videographers across the country with offices in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
• v9 StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNewly constructed production studio in West SoHo with 24,000 watts, loading dock, freight elevator, and fixed equipment inventory with in-house lighting and grip.
• Williamson CarsonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSpecialist insurance broker working in creative industries since 1986. Provides expert advice, specialist policies and claims support for UK-based production companies and agencies.
• WINIFRED LAWcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke immigration law firm specializing in tailored visas and green cards for artists and creatives. Offers O and P visas, EB1A extraordinary ability cases, and EB2 National Interest Waiver petitions.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Graphic Artists Guild: National union and trade organization for graphic artists, illustrators, and designers. Comparable as a creative-trade body providing contract resources, advocacy, and educational programming to independent creators and their representatives.
• Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP): Trade association representing companies that produce commercials in film, video, and digital media. Co-developed the Universal Bid Form with AMA, indicating deep operational overlap with AMA's member community.
• American Photographic Artists (APA): Non-profit trade association of photographers in advertising, editorial, commercial, and fine art — already an AMA core partner. Directly comparable given overlapping member base (photographer reps) and shared advocacy/education focus.
• American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): Long-established trade association representing professional photographers and serving as a peer organization to AMA in the commercial photography advocacy space. Highly comparable in mission (standards, education, advocacy) and member base (photographer representatives).
• The Society of Illustrators: Professional association for illustrators and artists with educational programming, exhibitions, and advocacy. Comparable as a niche creative-trade association with analogous membership, events, and standards-setting functions.
• National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): Trade association dedicated to photojournalism and visual journalism with strong advocacy and ethics programs. Comparable in being a niche photographer trade body focused on standards and member resources.

Broad incumbents

• American Advertising Federation (AAF): National trade association for the advertising industry, including agencies, vendors, and creatives. Comparable as a larger umbrella trade body whose members overlap with AMA's commercial artist-rep base.
• Professional Photographers of America (PPA): The largest US trade association for professional photographers, offering education, certification, and advocacy. Comparable as a broader-incumbent association serving overlapping creative communities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/joinlettuce
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn3LR_kKrTc5e5ufEYuUxIg
• Facebookfacebook.com/FotoCare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-photographic-artists-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/mayostudios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Artist Management Association