Aaron Bogan, an experienced art model and illustrator hailing from New Jersey, relocated to New York City last year from the Bay Area, drawn by what he described as a thriving modeling scene. For two decades, Bogan has worked as a life drawing model, a contract-based job that requires both physical stamina and mental resilience. “Figure models are the blue-collar workers of the arts,” Bogan remarked. “The physical and mental demands of our work are often underestimated.” Previously involved with the Bay Area Models Guild, known for securing high wages for their models, Bogan now earns $22 an hour in New York, despite working more hours.
Bogan’s schedule is grueling, often working from 9 am to 10 pm, six or seven days a week. A typical session involves artists gathering in a studio as the model assumes various poses, from simple seated positions to intricate stances with props like chairs and swords. While modeling can be fulfilling, the physical exertion is significant, leading Bogan to suffer a painful ulcer requiring costly medical attention. “We carry our experiences onto the stage,” Bogan shared, emphasizing the unseen struggles behind the stoic facade models maintain.
Despite their essential role in art institutions, models face financial instability and insufficient recognition. As the Art Students League approaches its 150th anniversary, models are advocating for better working conditions, including higher wages and improved amenities. Anna Veedra, leading The Model Tea Project, is surveying models nationwide to gather data supporting their cause. Veedra prefers working in California due to better pay, highlighting the disparity in compensation compared to New York institutions like Parsons and the New School.
Preliminary survey results indicate that over half of responding models cannot save for emergencies, and many rely on public assistance. The Art Students League, where models earn $22/hour, has not confirmed plans to raise wages. Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen of NYU noted that models once held a status akin to professors, but their standing has since diminished. Crystal Durant, a model and educator, recounted experiences of disrespect and harassment, underscoring the need for recognition and fair treatment within the profession.
In contrast, the Bay Area Models Guild ensures a $50 hourly rate and advocates for models facing issues like harassment. However, even in regions with better pay, models like Titania Kumeh face financial uncertainties. Models contribute significantly to the arts, as Robin Hoskins emphasized, seeking both respect for their work and a dignified living wage. The call for improved labor conditions continues as models strive for recognition and fair compensation.
