8 Free Online Databases to Find Diverse Artists
This blog post is part of our ongoing Diversity in Publishing series, focusing on the need for inclusion, equity, and diverse voices within the book industry. Read more posts here.
One of the most wonderful new things to crop up in the past year or two is a whole new generation of exciting diverse talent databases. These resources—mostly built as public services by passionate groups and individuals—highlight artists and creatives in various fields from populations most often woefully underrepresented in mainstream industry publications: women, people of color, queer people, and others.
They not only allow editors, designers, and art directors to find a wide range of amazing talent to work with, but can also help you find your next new favorite artist!
Cartoonists of Color
Database of cartoonists and illustrators of color. “For visibility. For academia. For inspiration. For community building.”
Diversify.Photo
A database of photographers of color. “Diversify was born out of a recognition that calling for more diversity in the photo industry is not enough. To diversify photo, we need to equip Art Buyers, Creative Directors, and Photo Directors with resources to discover photographers of color available for assignments and commissions.”
People of Craft
“People of Craft is a growing showcase of creatives of color and their craft in design, advertising, tech, illustration, lettering, art, and more. It’s time to redefine what creative looks like.”
Queer Cartoonists
A database of queer-identified cartoonists and illustrators designed as “a way to spotlight marginalized comics creators.”
#VisibleWomen
Thought not technically a database, this hashtag was created to help women illustrators bring their work to more prominent public attention on Twitter.
Women of Graphic Design
A project focused on exhibiting the contributions of women in graphic design and exploring issues of gender-equality in education provided by design institutions.
Women Photograph
A database that “includes more than 700 independent women documentary photographers based in 91 countries . . . Our mission is to shift the gender makeup of the photojournalism community and ensure that our industry’s chief storytellers are as diverse as the communities they hope to represent.”
Women Who Draw
“An open directory of female* professional illustrators, artists, and cartoonists…emphasizing female illustrators of color, LBTQ+, and other minority groups of female illustrators (*WWD is trans-inclusive and includes women, trans and gender non-conforming illustrators).”
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Did we miss anyone? Feel free to comment below or email community@chroniclebooks.com with your thoughts and recommendations—we’ll update this list continuously. And be sure to follow along this blog series here!
Bridget Watson Payne
Latest posts by Bridget Watson Payne (see all)
- 9 Publishing Organizations that Promote Diversity Within the Industry - March 22, 2018
- 8 Free Online Databases to Find Diverse Artists - February 28, 2018
- Let’s Make More Diverse Books - July 7, 2017
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English March 19, 2018 at 3:22 am
Great sites! I did not know the first, Cartoonist of color, and it really is very inspiring! I have discovered great artists in them that will help me. Thanks!
Kathleen Sleboda March 21, 2018 at 5:26 pm
One more! Featuring female*-identifying graphic designers, past and present:
http://womenofgraphicdesign.org/
We also have links on our page of Resources to sister projects that also feature female* typographers, designers, architects, etc.: http://bit.ly/2enfOga
Jenna Homen March 28, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Kathleen! We just updated the post. 🙂
Kathleen Sleboda March 28, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Wow, thank you Jenna! We’re delighted to be included with all these other great projects. 🎉