How to Choose the Right Artists Association for You

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Being an artist can be lonely at times, and an artist association is the perfect way to meet other artists, make friends, and gain support.

Not to mention, they also offer tons of opportunities to showcase their work and improve their skills.

But how do you choose the ideal artistic association for you? From location and size to average and membership benefits, there's a lot to consider and it can be hard to pinpoint the perfect match.

We recommend following these four steps to narrow down the artistic associations that are right for you. You can then immerse yourself in the work and enjoy all the professional and personal benefits of membership in an artists' association.

“When choosing the right association, study and find out what they are about.” — Debra Joy Grosser

1. Consider an option close to home or across the country

We recommend that you first decide on the size and location of the artists' association. Do you want to be part of a huge national organization and look forward to traveling to events? Or are you looking for something closer to home? Think about the upcoming trip, the number of events and if you need an association with a meeting place or center that you can visit regularly.

National associations welcome artists from all over the country, as well as. In addition, there are state-based groups such as and .

If that's too much, you can narrow it down to smaller associations in your state, such as . You can get even more niche if you want it to serve only your city, for example, or a .

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2. Muse on Medium vs. style

Now that you've decided where you want to place the artists' association, you now need to decide on its direction. You'll want to see if they focus on your medium or your style.

For example, take artists working in watercolor, acrylic, oil and gouache. Their group is more about style than medium. On the other hand, it was created specifically for watercolor artists, regardless of style.

, President and CEO of the American Impressionist Society, emphasizes: "Make sure the organization you want to join is appropriate for your environment and style."

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3. Explore the proposed activities and programs

Now that you've narrowed it down to place and type, you need to explore the different types of activities and programs on offer. Consider the following questions:

• Do they offer shows for jurors only, and if so, how many?

• How many meetings do they have, or do they have meetings at all?

• Do they do group art activities like coloring?

• Do they deal with art panels and bring in speakers?

• Do they offer workshops and demonstrations to help you improve your skills?

• Do they offer criticism from experts?

• Do they offer mentoring?

• What is the cost of programs and events?

Considering these questions will help you decide what you want to receive and enjoy from an artists' association.

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4. Familiarize yourself with member privileges

Most artist associations offer membership benefits and list them on their website. See if they align with your interests and art career goals.

The, for example, offers perks such as free coloring pages, demos, and educational workshops during their juried shows; a Facebook group exclusively for AIS members; as well as .

The Boulder Art Association provides its members with the opportunity to showcase and promote their art in local companies and in the workplace for art projects. you can read them

The cost of general membership is often listed in the "Membership" section of artist association websites. Most require an annual membership fee. Comparing the price and benefits will help you decide if this association is right for you.

Curious about how art associations can help your art career? To read