Artist Membership

The Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is a contemporary forum for member artists to exhibit their works publicly. As has been shown throughout the history of art most practicing artists do not evolve in a vacuum, but thrive through associations with others. The Center serves as a catalyst in which artist members will be able to work, to share and to evolve creatively among other fellow artists. Additionally, it is an organization through which artists may serve their community.

OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
The Artist membership will maintain the following elected officers: President, President-elect, and a Secretary/Treasurer. These officers are elected to a one-year term and are eligible for re-election for an additional one year term. After which they are not eligible for re-election for the next two years following the completion of their second term.

MEMBER LEVELS
There are three artist member levels: Signature Artist Member, Artist Member and Student Artist Member. Current members in good standing may move or may be asked to move among three levels as necessary throughout their membership tenure. An additional honorary level, the Emeritus Member, is available only to a current tenured Signature Artist Member.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Artist membership is limited only by the quality of the artist’s work. A person may apply for membership in writing through any current artist member, administrator or board member. The Center artist membership committee reviews all candidates’ submissions. This committee reviews each candidate’s background and work against certain artistic guidelines as outlined below to determine membership qualification. The artist membership committee includes the curator of exhibitions, the curator of photography, the artist member president and two other signature artist members appointed by the artist member president. No artist member may serve on this committee for more than three years. After the artist membership committee elects a new member, he/she will be placed into one of the three membership levels, Signature Artist Member, Associate Artist Member or Student Artist Member.

Each applicant’s work is evaluated using the following guidelines:

1) Design
2) Mastery of medium
3) Conceptual originality
4) Evidence of professional practice (i.e., production, exhibitions and thematic depth). Each candidate’s evaluation will be recorded and documented. A summary of panel comments will be provided to the candidate as a courtesy. Evaluations will be kept on file at the Center as a record.

APPEALS
Any artist who feels that his or her application for artist membership or renewal has been wrongfully denied may submit a written appeal to the Board of Trustees. The Board will not review the artistic judgments made in accordance with the Center Artist Membership Policy, but has authority to take appropriate action if there is a violation of Center policies, bylaws, or applicable law.

NONDISCRIMINATION
The Center for Contemporary Arts prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or creed with respect to all of its operations, including membership, employment, and use of Center facilities or property.

ARTISTIC FREEDOM
The Center for Contemporary Arts is committed to artistic freedom, and will not attempt to influence or restrict the content of any artwork. Any individual who wishes to complain regarding the content of artwork exhibited by the Center may submit a written complaint to the Executive Director. The Executive Director must follow established board policy when dealing with questions of artistic freedom.

ARTIST MEMBER BENEFITS
1) Artist members exhibit in a word class venue, the Center for Contemporary Arts, through solo and/or group shows. Signature artist members are entitled to solo exhibitions in Gallery One. Exhibition openings are held during Abilene’s monthly ArtWalk. Members Only preview receptions are also available to the artist.

2) Associate and student members exhibit through group shows. Exhibition openings are held during Abilene’s monthly ArtWalk. Private receptions are also available.

3) All members may develop a regional presence as working artists.

4) All members may participate in traveling Center group shows.

5) All members benefit from interaction with fellow artists through increased productivity and increased creativity. Members also learn more about exhibiting and/or selling work.

6) All members may develop lasting friendships with fellow artists.

7) Studio space is for lease and offered to members first as the space comes available.

8) All artists have the privilege to be a member of an organization that takes pride in its artists and has the dedicated support of a prestigious board of directors who come from many organizations throughout Abilene.

9) All artist members have the opportunity to serve their community by participating in Center programs. Members may teach classes in our ArtReach program for the special needs community in Abilene. Members may participate in public art projects or assist with other art projects for community groups.

ARTIST MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Annual Center artist membership dues of $120 must be paid in full by the end of each fiscal year, September 30. An artist member will be dropped if the prior year’s dues are not received by the Center for Contemporary Arts before this date. Student Members and Emeritus Members are exempt from paying dues.

2) The Artist membership is required to participate in fundraisers held by the Center for Contemporary Arts. This participation may come in the form of a donation of at least $200.00, a comparable amount of service time, or a donation of the highest quality artwork the member is capable of producing. Emeritus Members may elect not to donate.

3) Student Members must perform ten (10) hours of service in the Center, but pay no dues.

4) All artist members are encouraged to attend and participate in all meetings to ensure the Center reaches its artistic and organizational goals, and all artist members would benefit the Center by participating in these meetings. Participation is a vital responsibility of all members to ensure a growing and dynamic Center.

5) The artist members’ selection committee will review the artist membership periodically. Through this review the Center is guaranteed a talented and active artist membership. Each Signature and Artist must show concrete evidence of their productivity as a committed artist member at their designated level. This review, in either January or June, depending on the month closest to the artist member’s anniversary month, is held every two years. A written copy of each review is submitted to the executive director of the Center and is to be kept on file in the Center for Contemporary Arts. Emeritus Members may opt not to be reviewed.

6) Student Members must reapply for membership each year in September.

7) Each artist must participate in a group Center artist member show at least once every two years. Representing the Center as a professional artist is necessary for membership.