Championing Fair Artistry: Our Commitment to Fair Pay for Artists and Designers

At Kindly Woven, our journey isn’t just about creating beautiful textiles—it’s about reshaping the way the textile industry values and rewards creativity. We believe that artists  deserve to not only be celebrated, but equally compensated in the same way others who financially benefit from their work are compensated. Let’s explore what fair artistry means to us and how we’re championing a new model for artists to thrive.

What is Fair Artistry?

Fair artistry is more than just artists getting paid for their work—it’s about ensuring that they are valued for their contributions in a way that reflects the impact of their work. In too many cases, artists and designers are paid a flat rate for the work they create, while the company reaps long-term rewards from the sale of those designs. And while we understand that companies need to be able to consider the total costs of their products, it has never stopped them from compensating salespeople based on the amount of sales a product achieves. We believe that uncapped earning potential should not only exist for sales, but also for the creatives whose work led to those sales. After all, when the tide rises, we all rise together. This approach allows everyone to benefit from the growth and success of the business, ensuring that artists share in that journey.

Laura’s Story: A Call for Change

Our founder, Laura Adams, has spent over 30 years in the textile industry, and her experience is the passion behind our commitment to Fair Artistry. Working as a design director before transitioning into sales, she witnessed firsthand how much sales teams were earning by selling designs created by others. While sales are vital, Laura began to question why the creative talent behind these designs wasn’t being compensated at the same level. She saw talented designers, brimming with innovation and passion, earning far less than their work deserved—while the salespeople promoting their creations often made five times or more the designers' annual income.

“Over the years, I’ve had the joy of knowing countless artists and designers, and what stands out the most is their willingness to create for the sheer love of it—often without recognition or compensation. Sadly, this passion has sometimes been taken for granted, leaving many feeling undervalued,” stated Laura. “The truth is, history has not been kind to creatives, with even some of the most well-known artists in the world living in poverty–and their work then becoming worth millions after their deaths. I find this so disturbing. Without creatives, all of these products would literally be blank canvases. It’s a known fact that pattern, design, and color are what cause a buyer to purchase one item over an identical other item. The work we are doing as creatives is literally what is selling these products. And it’s time that this is not only recognized, but fairly compensated.” 

How Kindly Woven Supports Fair Compensation

At Kindly Woven, we are dedicated to changing the narrative around artist compensation. We don’t ever want designers to feel like they’re being used for someone else’s gain. That’s why we’ve pioneered a compensation model that puts designers at the forefront, ensuring they are rewarded for their invaluable contributions.

Our team of designers receives a percentage of sales for every product they work on. This isn’t a one-time payment, but a continuous royalty for the life of the product, ensuring they benefit from the ongoing success of their hard work. In addition to royalties for our designers, we also offer licensing agreements and sales commissions for all artists and designers who contribute to our lines—meaning that if a designer promotes their own work (or the work of fellow artists) and drives sales, they earn even more.

This structure allows for flexibility and growth, giving designers the freedom to earn more as their work gains traction. By providing this financial model, we empower artists to focus on what they do best: creating.

A Future of Fairness and Collaboration

When you partner with Kindly Woven, you’re not just investing in exceptional textiles—you’re supporting fair artistry for artists and designers. We believe that the future of the textile industry lies in fairness, transparency, and collaboration. By working together, we can ensure that every artist is given the opportunity to thrive and grow. We’re proud to lead the way in this new model. Join us in crafting a future where creativity is valued, and fair artistry isn’t just a vision—it’s a reality for everyone.

Ready to support fair compensation for artists and designers?  Explore our website to learn more about our mission and start your own creative journey with us. Don’t forget to join our email list for updates and exclusive content—we can’t wait to build a better future together!