1. What is the Register of Artists' Models?

RAM was founded in 1996 by a small group of models in London.  It was apparent that the general perception of life modelling as a job had sunk to an unacceptably low level and that this was reflected in the appalling pay and conditions, as well as the humorous way in which the job was treated in the media.  As a result, many of those employed as life models were not really suitable.  They were often people who saw it as a quick and easy way of making a little money in times of financial difficulty.

RAM sought to restore the status of the life model to that of earlier times.  We realised that this could only be achieved by improving and maintaining at a high level the service offered by models, in terms of competence, conduct and reliability while, at the same time, demanding higher pay and better working conditions.

We are not an agency, even though many models refer to us as 'the agency'.  In fact, the greatest service we have provided for models in London has been to prevent, simply by our existence, a certain national employment agency from taking over the modelling scene.  They know that models would simply not feel inclined to give ten per cent of their earnings to an agency when, for fixed annual fee, they can get work through our website, both by advertising themselves in 'RAM Members Online' and by answering the ads on the site.

We no longer function as an unofficial union, either.  In the end, models preferred to see themselves as customers buying a service from RAM, rather than as members of a democratically controlled society for mutual self-interest.  This has resulted in our conversion to a business.  However, we remain mindful of our original aims and objects, and still publish the RAM Guidelines on pay, working conditions and conduct.

What have we achieved?

Although unregistered models are reluctant to admit it, the average fees for modelling (in London at least) have increased by some 30% above the rate of inflation since 1996.  No trade union has achieved an average increase on this scale during the same period.  Models in many areas can now expect to earn more than twice the Minimum Wage instead of only 50% above it.

Registered models are generally acknowledged to have a much better record of competence, conduct and reliability than those who will not join us or who have been rejected for membership.  Models and tutors alike can feel that they have an avenue of complaint against unacceptable treatment or unprofessional behaviour.

The RAM Guidelines, which can be printed from our website, form the only comprehensive consultative document available to employers and models on such things as pay, conduct and working conditions.  The website itself is an important source of information and, of course, work.  There is no other comparable models' website in Britain.

Finally, the media jokes about life models have all but disappeared, thanks to a considerable number of press, television and radio appearances by RAM over the years.

Can members influence policy?

The RAM Guidelines slowly evolved from the results of votes taken at 32 meetings, held between 1996 and 2004.  Any member was entitled to attend those quarterly meetings (traditionally called the 'Get-togethers') and to take part in discussions on issues affecting models.  Since conversion to a business, the Get-togethers are not an official activity, and votes taken at them are not binding on the proprietors of RAM.  However, we hope that members will continue to hold the Get-togethers independently, because we still pay careful attention to any advice or requests coming from them.

How do I join?

This varies according to the part of the country you live in.  LONDON applicants must pose at one of our Bare Facts life drawing workshops in Holloway (Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings) and Richmond (Friday evenings), by way of an audition.  You are asked to do a combination of short (5 or 10 minute) poses and one or two longer ones, up to 45 minutes.  We are checking basic ability to keep still for long periods as well as initiative (you choose the poses) and a reasonable body awareness in the short poses, enabling you to do more than just sit or stand around.  It is NOT true, as some people have claimed, that you have to pay to audition.  The fee you are asked to pay is for annual membership.  Therefore there is nothing to pay if you don't pass the audition.  There is not even anything to pay if you pass the audition, but then decide not to join.

BEGINNERS can apply in London, but they usually have to come back two or three times before they gain enough confidence and ability to be accepted onto the Register.  However, this isn't always the case - some people are 'naturals'!

Most applicants are accepted.  The decision is made by the workshop leader with the help of any other RAM members who may be present.

Outside London, we have Regional Reps in a few areas who themselves run Bare Facts life drawing workshops, so they can audition models.  However, in most regions this is not possible yet, so we have to accept two good references.  These references must be from tutors and should mention competence, conduct and reliability.

But, obviously, if you are a beginner, you can't get references.  Don't worry!  We recently started a scheme called Associate Membership.  This gives you all the benefits of full membership, such as having a password to the job contact details on the website, and being able to have an entry on the 'RAM Members Online' page of the website.  The one big difference is that it is made clear to prospective employers that you have neither auditioned nor provided references.  This is done simply by means of membership numbers - there's a different series for associate members.  Of course, Associate Membership is not available if there is a workshop that you could reasonably be expected to attend.  For example, it is never available to anyone wishing to work within the circle of the M25.

Is it worth joining?

Some models feel that the amount of work they get out of membership of RAM is not the point.  After all, there is no other great 'family' of life models that you can join.

It has to be admitted, though, that most applicants these days prefer to make a decision based on how much they are likely to earn by joining.  Many models in London, particularly females, find that they get quite a lot of work through appearing on the website and/or by answering jobs ads on the site.  You have to be a RAM member to access the contact info for the jobs.  For areas outside London, it's difficult for us to know how well the system works - we don't get enough feedback!

The webswite may not be the only incentive to join.  Some colleges and private art groups now employ only RAM members, and we expect this trend to continue.

You may also have heard of the Bare Facts model booking service for London, but it must be understood that although RAM owns Bare Facts, the model booker can find work for only a small proportion of London members and there is no rationing system.  She may call some models over and over again because she knows they are popular and reliable, but not call newer members unless an emergency crops up.

Older male models who are thinking of joining purely and simply to get work should consider the unfortunate fact that models in their category rarely get work from our licensees unless they are already very well known on the scene.  You may have heard the oft-repeated and politically correct theory that for art it doesn't matter at all what you look like, how old you are or what sex you.  Sadly, this is very often not true.  Another factor is that some of those older male models who have been doing the job for a very long time have built up excellent reputations, so they pick up most of the work available for models in that category.  Set against this is the fact that our website ads are restricted to RAM members, so you may have the edge on the competition if you visit our website regularly.

Two things should be considered.  Firstly, joining RAM and paying your fee does NOT necessarily lead to work, although it almost always does in the case of London females, and often does in the case of London males.  Secondly, we continue to be heavily influenced by our original commitment to stabilizing the modelling profession.  That means we are still trying to avoid a return to the bad old days when life modelling was considered a quick and easy way for anybody to get their hands on a little cash.  That's why joining RAM remains an unhurried process.

What are the rules?

If accepted, you will be joining an organisation which still has firm roots in the struggle to improve the status of the life model.  One of the chief ways of doing this is to improve the average quality of service provided by models, so you will be expected to help maintain the high standards of competence, conduct and reliability for which we are collectively known.  Models can be struck off the Register following reasonable complaints about competence, conduct or reliability from two licence-holding tutors or artists, or from Bare Facts model booking service.  But if you've read this far and still want to join, you're probably not the sort of person who is likely to be struck off.

What about security?

Our new licensing system, which will come into force in August or September 2006, should help ensure that you are not contacted by the sort of people you may not wish to hear from, but no system is perfect.  Members themselves can cooperate by reporting any suspect emails or untoward incidents and by never making information in the password-protected areas of the website available to people who are not licence-holders, or to non-RAM models.  In fact you can be struck off the RAM register for doing so.  Make sure you read section 2 of the notes on the back of your application form, when you get it.

You should also read he security warnings on the website when you submit (after joining) info for publication on the Web.

How much does RAM membership cost?

BASIC membership costs £20 a year and entitles you a simple entry on the website, which just contains basic availability info and your email address.  You can also make complaints about employers who are RAM licence-holders.  Also, you could possibly be called upon from time to time by our own Bare Facts model booking service (London only).

PREMIUM membership also carries those benefits, but additionally gives you access to the contact information for jobs advertised on the Joblink page of the website.  A password, obtainable from the website, is required for this.  Also, you can have a much fuller entry on the website, composed specially for you by the webmaster and based on information you have given us and what (if anything) we alread know about you.  Premium membership costs £30 a year.

You can make your first annual payment for either kind of membership at the time of audition or when returning the application form.  If you pay at the time of audition, your membership can be set up straight away.  If not, it could be up to THREE MONTHS before you get a card and registration number.

Membership runs from 1st Oct to 30th Sept.  If you join after 31st March, you membership will run until 30 Sept the FOLLOWING year.

What is the next step?

LONDON APPLICANTS (within M25): When you have read and understood these notes please use this form.

APPLICANTS OUTSIDE M25: once you have read and understood these notes please use this form.

Note for beginners or applicants from outside the UK

As a result of pressure from Inland Revenue, at least two three quarters of all available modelling work in the UK has to be done on an employed rather than self-employed basis.  This means you have to give the employer your National Insurance Number and bank details and sign a contract of employment.  You may have to wait up to two months for the pay and when you get it you will find that tax has been deducted at the full rate of 23 per cent.  This applies even if the employment lasts for only two hours.  Some beginners are confident that this won't apply to them because they have a Schedule D Certificate of self-employment, therefore the employer is obliged to treat them as self-employed.  The fact is that employers are under no such obligation.