Membership

“When I found out I won the Grand Prize in the 2018 AWA Spring Online Show, I was beyond surprised knowing how many other incredible women entered this exhibition. AWA’s importance is that it showcases what we as women are creating and saying with our work. Thank you for the support!”

— Shana Levenson, NM

American Women Artists is made up of over 900 artists, patrons, and gallery owners! There are five levels of membership for artists: Associate, Associate with Distinction, Signature, Master, and Heritage Circle. Artist memberships are open to women 18 years of age or older, living and working in the United States and Canada. Women who draw, paint, or sculpt from representational to abstract styles are welcome and encouraged to apply for membership. Advancement is based on the number of AWA juried shows an artist has been accepted into, and at the Master level, the overall quality of the artist’s work, her standing in the art community, and a vote by the other Master Members. In recognition of their founding status or exceptional contribution to the organization, a few AWA artists have been honored with Heritage Circle Membership.

Patron and Gallery Members generously show their support for AWA with their annual donation to inspire, celebrate, and encourage women in the visual fine arts.

The mission of American Women Artists is to celebrate, unite, and promote women in the visual fine arts through our core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Associate Artist Membership     Associate with Distinction Membership     Signature Members Membership     Master Membership     Patron Membership    Gallery Membership

Associate Artist Memberships are $60 per year and open to women artists, 18 years of age or older, living and working in the United States and Canada. Women who draw, paint, or sculpt are welcome and encouraged to apply for membership. Associate Artists are eligible to apply for the annual National Museum Exhibition and Spring Online Juried Show. They receive a free listing linked to their website on the AWA website and, as a member of AWA, they can have their awards and other art news promoted through AWA’s social media outlets.

Accepted work in our national juried exhibitions can be representational or abstract; we will also accept limited edition hand-pulled prints. We do not accept photography, craft, jewelry, fiber, textile art, or any digitally derived work, unless a venue is asking for those specified mediums.

Our membership drive starts on November 1 for the following year, but artists are welcome to join at any time during the year. Please note that AWA does not prorate dues for mid-year memberships. Annual renewal invoices are emailed to members in November and can be paid electronically by credit card or check. For questions, email us at membership@americanwomenartists.org.

New to AWA?  To join as an Associate Member, Click Here

Associate with Distinction membership is for Associate Members who have been juried into at least one AWA juried shows: Spring Online Juried Show or our National Juried Competition. Dues are $75/year. This membership level celebrates the achievements of our Juried Associates. Associate with Distinction Members are eligible to jury into our annual Online Juried Show and our annual Museum Exhibition. Annual renewal invoices are emailed to members in November and can be paid electronically by credit card or check. For questions, email us at membership@americanwomenartists.org.

Associate with Distinction artists are eligible for Signature Membership after they have been juried into at least three AWA National Juried Exhibitions. The Instagram Pop Up Shows do not count toward Signature eligibility. Signature Members are eligible to use the initials AWA after their signature and are routinely featured in AWA newsletters and social media. Dues per year at the Signature level are $150.

Signature Members are required to jury into the annual Museum exhibition. Annual renewal invoices are emailed to members in November and can be paid electronically by credit card, or check. For questions, email us at membership@americanwomenartists.org.

Master-Signature Membership is by invitation only. The exemplary work of a Master-Signature Member can be seen in museum exhibitions, fine art galleries, publications, and collections across the country. Women under consideration for Master-Signature Membership, who are not AWA Members, may be invited to show with AWA at the annual member exhibition as Guest Artists. Dues per year at the Master-Signature level are $200. A Master-Signature Member is eligible to jury into the National Juried Museum Exhibition. Annual renewal invoices are emailed to members in November and can be paid electronically by credit card or check. For questions, email us at membership@americanwomenartists.org.

View AWA’s Master-Signature criteria and selection process here.

American Women Artists is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is deeply grateful for the support of those who love and appreciate fine art. Patron level support is open to all who wish to contribute $60 or more to AWA’s mission to inspire, celebrate, and encourage women in the visual fine arts. AWA offers four levels of Patron Membership: Friend, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Read about each Patron Membership level HERE. Click on our Donate page to make your annual contribution.

AWA invites fine art galleries across the country to partner with us as Gallery Members to support AWA’s vision of having women artists achieve recognition and parity in today’s art world. As a benefit of membership, Gallery Members are listed on a special acknowledgement page on the AWA website, their logo will be added to the AWA website with a link to the gallery and receive our monthly newsletter and invitations to exclusive artist events. Gallery Members also receive recognition through AWA’s blog, social media and other publicity. A Gallery Membership is $250 per year. To join as a Gallery Member, visit our Donate page. For questions, email us at membership@americanwomenartists.org.