Professional Groups
This is a selection of the visual arts professional organizations. Joining a professional organization adds to your professional knowledge (most offer continuing education and development opportunities), allows you to network in the field, and shows future employers you are engaged in the professional community.
Most offer discounted student rates.
Why Get Involved?
- Expand your network: Make new connections with professionals who can hire or refer work to you. Participating in an organization should provide you with many opportunities to connect with professionals on a local, regional, national, and sometimes global level. Participating in special interest groups, sections, or discussion boards sponsored by an organization is another way to connect with people who are likeminded and/or working in the same niche you are.
- Boost your credibility and visibility: Being actively involved in your professional community can boost your credibility among your peers, your clients, and your prospects. Associations generally look to their members to share their unique expertise and their connections through their participation in the organization. Raise your hand for a leadership role to not only develop your skills as a leader but also to boost increase your visibility. Relating to other professionals who share common interests is a great way to strengthen your reputation.
- Professional development: Join a professional organization that directly aligns with your interests. Organizations often offer articles, webinars, reports, white papers, courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and certifications to keep their members current on the latest industry research, innovations, and trends.
- Mentorship opportunities: Finding professionals—junior and senior—who can support your growth is a huge benefit in joining a professional association. There are also meaningful rewards in mentoring others, including honing your leadership abilities, learning new perspectives and insights, and feeling a sense of contribution.
- Build a support system: Making connections outside of your school who understand your circumstances and can offer guidance and insight is one of the most important reasons to join a professional organization. Strong bonds within professional organizations will improve your career opportunities, will help you garner more influence, and most importantly, will make work and life more fun.
Best practice: Don’t wait until you are in need to build your support system. Make the investment into developing authentic relationships early to build a network of advocates who want to see you succeed and are happy to help as needs arise.
American Institute for Conservation is the national membership association for conservators and allied professionals who preserve cultural heritage.
International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) is an independent international professional institute. It brings together conservation professionals from around the world, educating, enabling and recognizing excellence.
International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art (INCCA) - INCCA members are dedicated to developing, sharing and preserving knowledge needed for the conservation of modern and contemporary art. INCCA is a network of like-minded professionals connected to the conservation of modern and contemporary art.
Southeast Regional Conservation Association brings together individuals who are involved in the preservation of historic and artistic works in the Southeastern United States. SERCA promotes education, collegiality, outreach, and the exchange of ideas on a professional level to advance the preservation of cultural property.
Association for Art History (AAH) Based in the United Kingdom, we are the national organisation for professional art and design historians, researchers or students who are involved in education, galleries, museums and art-related publishing, or any other activity linked with art and design history.
Association of Historians of American Art (AHAA) provides a lively, accessible forum for: (1) presenting and advancing new approaches to American art; (2) examining problems that confront the field; and (3) identifying scholarly needs and opportunities for its members.
National Art Education Association (NAEA) is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts education professionals.
Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) is a nonprofit membership organization that serves an international network of institutions and individuals who, by profession or interest, focus on the history of the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life.
Dance Studies Association (DSA) advances innovative analyses of dance by promoting diverse approaches and a globally inclusive, respectful dialogue in the dance field and various related disciplines. It advances the field of dance studies through research, publication, performance, and outreach to audiences across the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations. Dance/USA’s core programs are focused in the areas of engagement, advocacy, research, and preservation.
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) is an inclusive organization for professionals who care for those who dance by evolving best practices in dance science, education, research, and medical care to support optimal health, well-being, training, and performance.
International Theatre Institute (ITI) is the world’s largest organization for the performing arts.
National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) envisions a nation that affords every citizen equal access and opportunity to quality dance arts education regardless of gender, age, race or culture, socio-economic status, ability or interest.
National Folk Organization (NFO) is the leading association for folk dance professionals and practitioners.
National Dance Society (NDS) provides leadership in promoting research, advocacy, and best practices in the delivery of dance and dance education.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States. Our mission is to foster a national community of professional stage directors and choreographers by protecting the rights, health and livelihoods of all our Members; negotiating and enforcing employment agreements across a range of jurisdictions; facilitating the exchange of ideas, information and opportunities; and educating current and future generations about the critical role of directors and choreographers in leading the field.
USA Dance Mission is to improve the quality and quantity of dance in the United States. USA Dance, Inc. is the Recognized Sport Organization for DanceSport in the United States with approximately 150 chapters throughout the country and is the representative organization for all competitive, social and recreational ballroom and latin dancers in America, ranging from pre-schoolers to seniors.
The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit, international trade organization established in 1994. Our mission is to stimulate global consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
American Society of Media Photographs (ASMP) is one of the leading trade organizations promoting the art and business of photography.
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Mission is to strengthen the impact of American fashion globally by amplifying creative excellence, business longevity, and positive impact.
Fashion Group International (FGI) is a worldwide membership organization of industry leaders in the fashion, beauty, lifestyle and retail sectors with global headquarters in New York.
International Textile and Apparel Association (itaa) ITAA is a professional, educational association composed of scholars, educators, and students in the textile, apparel, and merchandising disciplines in higher education. ITAA welcomes professionals employed in those fields who wish to join with members of the Association in the pursuit of knowledge, interchange of ideas, and dissemination of knowledge through meetings, special events, and publications.
The Professional Association for Design (AIGA) As the profession’s oldest and largest professional membership organization for design—with more than 70 chapters and more than 15,000 members—we advance design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force.
Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) is dedicated to the advancement of education for the establishment of the highest professional standards in the visual arts.
Professional Photographers of America's mission is to create a vibrant community of successful professional photographers by providing education, resources and industry standards of excellence. The Virginia affiliate of this group - Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA)
United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) represents brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally. Founded in 1989, USFIA works to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the fashion industry’s ability to trade freely and create jobs in the United States.
Visual Resources Association (VRA) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to furthering research and education in the field of image management and within the educational, cultural heritage, and commercial environments.
DiGRA is an international association for academics and professionals who research digital games and associated phenomena. It encourages high-quality research on games, and promotes collaboration and dissemination of work by its members.
entertainment software association (esa) serves as the voice and advocate for the video game industry. Our mission is to expand and protect the dynamic worldwide marketplace for video games.
IEEE Game Engineering Special Interest Group (GameSig) provides a forum to share knowledge and technology relevant to the game engineering disciplines; encourages students interested in electronic game technologies to consider careers in science and engineering; supports the development of electronic game industry standards.
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is the world’s largest nonprofit membership organization serving all individuals who create games. We advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating for the interests of game developers worldwide.
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) we advance design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force.
Graphic Artists Guild is a community of graphic design and illustration professionals of all disciplines interested in career development, skills enhancement, and industry knowledge. You’ll be joining an organization that works with you to protect and advance your career by advocating for fair treatment and delivering practical advice.
International Council of Design (ICOD) The Council’s mission is to increase the recognition of the value of design, to elevate the global standards of all design disciplines, and to improve the situation of individual designers everywhere.
Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) is a global, multidisciplinary community of professionals who plan, design, and build experiences that connect people to place. We are graphic and information designers, fabricators, architects, exhibition designers, technology integrators, interaction designers, brand strategists, students, wayfinding specialists, teachers, and others who have a hand in shaping content-rich, experiential spaces.
Society of Illustrators, Artists, and Designers (SIAD) is an organisation that exists to support, encourage and provide professional accreditation for illustrators, artists and designers at every stage of their career.
American Society of Media Professionals (ASMP) is one of the leading trade organizations promoting the art and business of photography.
American Watercolor Society The mission of the American Watercolor Society is to foster the appreciation of watercolor media, and to advance education in support of this end.
Arts Administrators of Color (AAC) is a support network that harnesses the power of artists, arts administrators, and organizations of people of the global majority to connect and expand BIPOC leadership across the U. S. creative sector.
Association of Professional Art Advisors (APaA) is a non-profit membership organization of the world’s leading art advisors, curators and corporate art curators.
Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) is a dynamic, action-oriented, member-driven platform for creative professionals seeking community community, collaboration, and creative support. Founded on the principles of a traditional guild, BADG thrives on the active participation of its members, as well as on the contributions of patrons who support our initiatives.
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts is open to Black Trans femme artists and works to create spaces for the production and preservation of Black trans art and culture by building community with Black trans femme artists and providing them with the resources and support necessary to thrive.
College Art Association (CAA) the largest community of individuals and organizations working together and advocating to advance research, practice, and the impact of the visual arts.
Colored Pencil Society of America is a nonprofit organization for colored pencil enthusiasts working to promote colored pencils as a fine art medium by sponsoring exhibitions and workshops, being involved in product research, and educating the public in general.
Glass Art Society is an international organization with the mission to connect, inspire, and empower all facets of the global glass community.
National Art Education Association (NAEA) is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts education professionals.
National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA) is a membership organization dedicated to serving the artistic, professional, and economic success of artists who exhibit in art shows.
National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) delivers programs that stabilize and revitalize the US Latino arts and cultural sector via funding, leadership training, convenings, research, and advocacy.
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) supports artists around the world in striving for artistic excellence by recognizing great art, enriching education, enhancing skills, challenging abilities and expanding marketing opportunities.
National Sculpture Society (NSS) promotes excellence in sculpture that is inspired by the natural world. Programs include Sculpture Review magazine, the SculptureNews e-bulletin, monthly virtual interviews/discussions, scholarships, grants, exhibitions and competitions.
National Society of Artists (NSA) was designed to meet the needs of artist who worked in all media, rather than just one. It is a unifying force between artists of different media, styles, techniques, and outlooks.
Pastel Society of America (PSA) serves the pastel artist, her/his public, and the artistic community through education, example, and activism for the medium.
The Professional Association for Design (AIGA) As the profession’s oldest and largest professional membership organization for design—with more than 70 chapters and more than 15,000 members—we advance design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force.
Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) is dedicated to the advancement of education for the establishment of the highest professional standards in the visual arts.
Society of Animal Artists (SAA) is devoted to promoting excellence in the artistic portrayal of the creatures sharing our planet, and to the education of the public through art exhibitions, informative seminars, lectures, and teaching demonstrations.
Society of Illustrators The Society of Illustrators’ mission is to promote the art of illustration, to appreciate its history and evolving nature through exhibitions, lectures and education, and to contribute the service of its members to the welfare of the community at large.
Visual Resources Association (VRA) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to furthering research and education in the field of image management and within the educational, cultural heritage, and commercial environments.