Artist Associations

• There are associations for artists of many disciplines. Otto Stadler/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

  There are many associations worldwide devoted to supporting artists on a regional, national or international basis. Some artist associations focus on promoting a particular medium--such as sculpting or oil painting--while others seek to support artists and artisans from a variety of disciplines through scholarships, networking opportunities and exhibitions. Nearly all have the objectives of promoting fine art, improving artist exposure through shows and galleries, and supporting new and emerging artists.

American Society of Portrait Artists

• The American Society of Portrait Artists (ASOPA) is the largest organization of its kind in the world, with artists from every state and 34 other countries. A nonprofit organization, the society is led by a board of directors and sponsors events nationwide throughout the year. The most prominent of the society's events is the Portrait Arts Festival in New York City. The festival is held in conjunction with the International Portrait Competition, which awards thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. The society also develops relationships with fine arts schools to help educate students and conduct scholarship competitions. Local chapters provide students with additional networking opportunities.

National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society

• In the case of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society, it was the goal of an exhibition that led to the formation of the association. Seven artists and art advocates set up the not-for-profit organization as sponsor of a new show they wished to create. Those founding members were soon joined by others, and the first show was held in 1991. In addition to providing exhibition opportunities for oil and acrylic painters, the society has developed a standard of excellence for the medium. As of 2010, more than 1,400 artists take part in the show each year. The society is aimed at fostering emerging artists over those already established.

Allied Artists of America

• The Allied Artists of America is devoted to supporting contemporary sculptors and artists. Modern art sculpture at Queen Victoria Market image by david hutchinson from Fotolia.com

  Founded in New York City in 1914, the Allied Artists of America was created to showcase the works of artists through exhibition, a goal that continues today. The association is devoted to furthering the works of contemporary sculptors and artists from across the country. Its Annual National Open Exhibition in New York City awards $24,000 in cash and medals and helps to support all participating artists by offering the opportunity of a prestigious exhibition. It also holds demonstrations, lectures and an awards program, and it publishes a newsletter to assist artists in communicating with others from the community.

American Watercolor Society

• The American Watercolor Society provides a scholarship for art instructors who are new to the medium. watercolor paint image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com

  The American Watercolor Society (AWS) was born out of the cultural revolution that followed the Civil War, when watercolor painting began to gain the type of attention earlier afforded only to other media. In 1866, a group of artists met at a studio in New York City to found the society for the sole purpose of promoting watercolor painting in America. From the start, the society stressed quality of members over quantity, although several members early in the association's history were hesitant to join because women had been allowed to join. Artists must have exhibited in two AWS annual exhibitions to be considered for membership.