The Artists' Fellowship, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 charitable foundation that financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability or bereavement. In 1859, a group of compassionate artists and business leaders gathered to help working artists and their families in cases of emergency and financial need. Originally formed as the "Helpful Society," the group organized formally as the "Artists' Mutual Aid Society", and in 1925 incorporated and changed its name to the Artists' Fellowship, Inc.
“Professional” is defined as those visual artists who make their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. Federal tax return. An active exhibition history is also an important part of documenting “professional.” “Fine Artists” are defined as those who create art for sale through galleries, private commission or reproduction in mass media. Media such as sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, art photography, mixed media, installations, and video art are considered “Fine Art” as defined above. “Sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship” can be documented through paid or unpaid invoices, bills or contracts. The “need” must be current and documented, not anticipated.