Member Benefits

The International Costumers’ Guild (ICG) is an affiliation of amateur, hobbyist, and professional costumers dedicated to the promotion and education of costuming as an art form in all its aspects. Costumers who join a local or regional ICG chapter also become ICG members, and a part of an international costuming community.

The ICG relies on memberships to provide substantial benefits to chapters and their members. Membership also benefits the costuming community through ICG’s educational and public outreach programs. Show your support for the costuming community by becoming an ICG member through a local or regional chapter. The ICG is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, and donations may be tax-deductible.

In addition to the supporting chapter programs and member outreach, the ICG also provides benefits directly to individual members. Here are a few of the benefits you receive as a member of an ICG affiliated chapter:

The International Costumer NewsletterThe International Costumer is a bi-monthly newsletter that includes informative articles by fellow ICG members. It also brings you the latest information about the ICG, including meetings, new chapters and special interest groups, and other publications.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a way for members with a common interest in a particular aspect or genre of costuming to pursue their interest and share information, without regard to the geographical location of their members. Joining an ICG sponsored SIG is a great way to meet costumers with similar interests, or to learn a new skill or explore a new costuming genre. ICG members can also form new SIGs to branch out into a new aspect or genre of costuming.

Discounts. Merchants offer special discounts to ICG members, as well as to its chapters and SIGs, through the ICG’s status as a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.Your proof of membership is your key to discounts and savings at local and online merchants.

Grants for Costuming Projects. The Marty Gear Costuming Arts and Sciences Fund provides grants for innovative projects and activities that promote the art and science of costuming, either in a specific locale or the community as a whole. The Fund is supported by a combination of ICG membership dues, and the generosity of individual and institutional donors.

The International Costumers Gallery. The International Costumers Gallery is a hosted photo gallery that includes a wealth of historical and contemporary costume photos to use as reference material for your own work. ICG members can upload and archive photos of their own costumes and costuming events to share with the community.

Your membership also supports ICG programs that benefit individual members by supporting the costuming community, including:

  • Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Archive
  • ICG Yahoo! and Facebook Groups
  • ICG “Mega Convention” list
  • Promotion of ICG Guidelines to Ensure Fair Competition
  • Support for programs and masquerades at conventions
  • Cooperation with other costuming organizations