About AAE

Founded in 1984, the Association of Art Editors (AAE) is a community for editorial professionals who specialize in the visual arts. Following the passing of its longtime coordinator, Phil Freshman, in 2023, the AAE was relaunched in 2025 under new leadership.

The AAE aims to connect editors who understand the unique demands of art publishing with each other and with potential clients. A key feature of our website is a searchable member directory designed specifically for the art-publishing community.

AAE members are vetted for their experience in editorial work in the visual arts; membership applicants must demonstrate recent and substantial experience editing, proofreading, indexing, or translating materials directly related to the visual arts.

AAE members are individual freelancers, not agencies or subcontractors, so when you reach out to someone in the directory, you're connecting directly with the editor who will do the work.

More offerings and shared resources are planned and will be added to this website as the community grows. We welcome your suggestions and feedback—contact us at the email address below.