The ILSSA Union focuses on the immaterial working conditions of our members. All who are interested in cultivating a reflective creative practice are welcome to join.

Become an ILSSA Member

Membership is free and available to anyone. There are two steps to join:

1. Subscribe to the ILSSA Listerv

The ILSSA Listserv is the primary way we, the Co-Operators, invite you and other members to participate in new ILSSA Projects, and give reports of ongoing ILSSA activities. It is also the way you could reach all other ILSSA members. Messages are infrequent and irregular; you will not be inundated with messages. Also, we do not sell or share our email list with a third party. Please note that you can always unsubscribe or adjust your ILSSA Listserv settings at this same link you will use to subscribe. Subscribe to the ILSSA Listserv here.

2. Send an ILSSA Member Letter

Each new member is also asked to send us an ILSSA Member Letter, which will be added to the ILSSA Archive for preservation and prosperity, and shared now and again via exhibition, publication, or the like. In this letter, please address the following questions: What do you consider your impractical labor? What questions are you grappling with? What sustains you? What are you working on right now? We request that this be a real, mailed letter, sent to:

Emily Larned (ILSSA)
830 Bolton Rd
Unit 1099
Storrs, CT 06268-1099

In addition, please choose and share within said letter a Local and Shop designation to associate with your membership. Your Local number is your cell phone (or land line) area code. Your Shop designation is your initials (or some other set of initials that represent your practice). If you include your chosen Local and Shop and a preferred URL in your ILSSA Member Letter, we will add you (with that link) to our published list of ILSSA Union Members.

If you would like to update or remove your Local and Shop link, please email operator@impractical-labor.org. Please note that the website will be updated sporadically, so your patience is appreciated.

Support ILSSA

Are you interested in supporting ILSSA above, beyond, or alternatively to membership? Well, first and foremost, thank you!

One of the best ways to support our organization is to purchase our Publications. We also welcome other forms of support. If you’d like to send a monetary gift, you are welcome to do so. Please email us at operator@impractical-labor.org and we will share payment options. ILSSA is not-for-profit in theory and in practice, but not in the eyes of the law. While your gift is not tax-deductible, it does sustain our activities. We are grateful for your generosity.