| Tad
Crawford: Publisher & Founder of Allworth Press
by Michelle
Accorso
Have you
ever wanted to make your own movie, publish an article, or exhibit
your art, but not know how to start? How many times have you wished
to fulfill your dreams if only you knew how to go about it? And
how can you protect your rights? Fortunately, with the help of
Tad Crawford, founder and publisher of Allworth Press, these aspirations
can become a reality.
Crawford’s passion
for writing developed as an undergraduate at Tufts while studying
economics. After law school, he began to teach writing at the
School of Visual Arts in 1973. He soon noticed the majority of
his students, though very motivated and talented, knew little
about the legalities involved or the rights they had as artists.
Crawford’s goal became clear. He created a course entitled Law
for the Visual Artist in 1975. It did not take long before he
became known as an artist’s rights advocate.
Overcoming the
lack of an appropriate textbook for his newly created course,
he wrote the book Legal Guide for the Visual Artist in
1977, which has sold approximately 90,000 copies to date. Spurred
by his success, Crawford took on new responsibilities and new
writings also becoming General Counsel to the Graphics Artists
Guild. “I spearheaded a coalition of fifty creators’ groups to
try and change the copyright law in a way that would be favorable
to creative people,” he says. Crawford was soon asked by arts
groups to publish books of their annual art shows. As a result,
Crawford formed a company and from 1982 to 1988, fulfilled the
needs of members. In 1989, Crawford decided to found Allworth
Press in order to provide helpful advice for creative professionals.
“I came
to publishing as a career in an indirect way. I began as an attorney
and taught at the School of Visual Arts and it was that combination
of teaching and meeting many artists, being involved in many arts
groups and then being asked to publish books that ultimately led
me to publish the kind of books that I felt would be most helpful
to people,” he says. He recently founded a new imprint called
Helios Press that focuses on humanistic psychology and current
affairs.
As a publisher,
Crawford says the biggest challenges lie in the business aspect
of the company, from finances to publicity, but that he is fortunate
in having found a key element: the readership. Since he has gained
such close relationships with art groups, he says he is grateful
to already have that fellowship of supporters. His background
in law gives him insight and knowledge that is extremely helpful
in publishing.
Crawford considers
Allworth Press an independent company and feels strongly that
independent publishing companies offer great opportunities for
writers since they are generally more open to new and interesting
ideas.
Although Crawford
has not practiced law since 1986 he does occasionally offer brief
advice to those artists seeking information. However, much of
this information is in print already, and artists often express
their gratitude to Allworth Press for the help provided in the
books.
Allworth Press
aims its books towards professionals, beginning professionals,
and college students. Nonetheless, high schools may want to consider
the benefits offered in these “how-to” books as a way to help
their students get a head start in learning about all aspects
of the art field. For example, The Artist’s Complete Health
and Safety Guide teaches those who work with art materials
about the health and safety risks involved, including a chapter
on safe use of art materials in the classroom. Technical Theatre
for Non-Technical People is another example of a book with
great interest for high school teachers, especially those responsible
for drama classes and productions.
Tad Crawford,
in creating Allworth Press, has helped to give artists the information
needed to better their craft, as well as the knowledge required
to further their careers. Perhaps one day he’ll even publish a
book on how to become a publisher.#
Education
Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001.
Tel: (212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919.Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express
consent of the publisher. © 2003.
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