Art Directors Guild Elects Joel Cohen as National Executive Director

Cohen previously served as Associate NED of the nationwide IATSE local The post Art Directors Guild Elects Joel Cohen as National Executive Director appeared first on TheWrap.

Mar 27, 2025 - 00:24

The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has elected Joel Cohen as its national executive director as part of its spring membership election.

The election is a promotion for Cohen, who previously served as ADG’s associate national executive director. That position will be filled by Andrew Stumme.

The new ADG leadership will oversee the local through a turbulent period for all IATSE members, as economic downturns and disasters such as the Los Angeles wildfires have put greater and greater financial strain upon thousands of union members.

Cohen and Stumme will also have to contend with the ever-present issue of generative artificial intelligence, which could significantly displace the work of many artists represented by ADG from storyboard artist to concept and matte artists.

While last year’s IATSE labor contracts were passed by a supermajority of members, a significant portion of ADG members, including the members of some of the local’s craft councils, vocally opposed the contract on the belief that its AI protections were insufficient.

“I’m honored to have been elected, and thank you to my peers for your vote of confidence,” says Cohen. “This was something bigger than an election win. It’s about making our voices heard and taking a stand together for fair treatment, stronger protections, and a future where every member has a say in the decisions that shape our work and our lives.”

“Creating the change we deserve isn’t something that happens overnight—it’s something we build together, day by day. The work ahead won’t be easy, but it’s necessary, and together, we will make it happen,” Cohen continued.

Cohen and Stumme will take over their new duties on June 1 and serve a three-year term that lasts through the end of May 2028.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Cohen has worked as a graphics designer for ABC and CBS News and as a design consultant for KTLA. He previously served as a field representative for ADG starting in 2016 and was elected associate NED in 2022.

Stumme is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon and has worked as a graphics designer for TV Guide Network. He previously served as Director of Organizing for ADG and has served as a delegate to the Los Angeles Federation of Labor and as a member of ADG’s negotiating committee for the Hollywood Basic Agreement.

In addition to executive director positions, members of ADG also elected the leaders of councils that represent the different crafts within the IATSE local.

The Art Directors Council elected Mark Worthington and Oana Miller as AD Board Members and Michael Allen Glover as the AD Council Chair. The Illustrators, Storyboard Artists and Matte Artists (IMA) council members elected Matthew Cunningham as their IMA Council Chair.

Tim Croshaw has been reelected Council Chair for the Set Designers and Model Makers (SDMM) Council. The Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists (STG) Council elected Sara Escamilla and Anastasia Sergeeva as STG Board Members, and named Sarah Gonzalez the STG Council Chair.

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