The Carmel Art Association conducts a new member application process by jury once a year. The Jury process for 2024 is now closed. Please check back next year on or around February 1st. 

Requirements

The Carmel Art Association is seeking local artists of exceptional talent and professional skills for full artist membership. The jury will be looking for artists that demonstrates a consistent, high quality execution and a recognizable, individual style in their body of work.

Along with the aforementioned qualities, the jury will be looking for an enthusiasm and supportive spirit for our unique non-profit endeavor.

Carmel Art Association was founded in 1927 as an artist-owned and governed 501c (3) non-profit. Its purpose, as stated in its bylaws is “To advance the knowledge of and interest in art, and to create a spirit of cooperation and fellowship between artists, and between artists and the public at large.”

Eligibility for Applying for Artist Membership

• Applicants must have resided full-time within thirty-five driving miles of Carmel Art Association for at least one year prior to application.

• You must document having shown your work in at least one juried competition and one gallery.

• Apply only in either the two-dimensional category or three-dimensional category even if you create artwork in bot

• Two-dimensional: Any original artwork in mediums including but not limited to: oil, acrylic, watercolor painting, or fine art printmaking. Work must have been completed within the last 24 months. No work generated by a photo process (digital or film photography or graphics,) ink-jet giclée, four-color reproductions, or machine-produced work will be considered. (Limited use of some pre-printed material in collage work may be considered.)

• Three-dimensional: At the CAA, work in the “3-D” category will be defined as fine art sculpture whose sole purpose is contemplation and aesthetics. The CAA will not show “arts and crafts,” or decorative arts, and will therefore not show any of the following: vessels of any kind (bowls, pitchers, jugs, etc.), jewelry, furniture, or other craft. Work must have been completed within the last 36 months.

• Feel confident that your own personal responsibilities, temperament, and motivations are in line with CAA’s emphasis on “cooperative spirits” and “service to the Association and the community.”

Online Jury Process & Jury Review

The Jury (comprised of artist members currently serving on the CAA’s Board of Directors) wants to know that you are actively working as a visual artist; they want to review your most current works from the last 24 months; and they want your assurance that CAA will have access to each artwork you put forward through online registration. You are asked to submit 10 of your strongest pieces for the jury to review. These pieces must also be available for purchase.

The Jury is looking for a consistent body of work — not an array of an artist’s widest breadth. This applies to subject, style, and medium. They wish to see what sets you apart from all of other applicants as well as all of the CAA’s current Artist Members. They want to see your unique “signature” style.

Upload 10 well-photographed digital images of works you created over the last 24 months to the Online Juried Shows website.  Keep all 10 artworks available for your first CAA consignment inventory until you have heard back from the CAA if you have or have not been selected as a new Artist Member.

All images submitted with your online application should be removed from other websites and social media platforms until you receive a decision from the CAA Jury; if you are not selected as a finalist, then you can resume marketing them yourself. However, if you are chosen as a finalist, and selected to become a new CAA Artist Member, all 10 of the images you submitted must be made available for purchase during your inaugural CAA show in June of the upcoming year.

Do not include any pieces that are NOT FOR SALE (NFS).

When you list current retail prices for your 10 artworks, take into consideration that as an Artist Member, you will always receive 60% of the purchase price, with the CAA receiving the remaining 40%.

If Selected as a Finalist for In-Person Jury Selection

Finalists should select 6 out of the original 10 artworks submitted as digital images via the online application process. Deliver your artwork as if delivering for an exhibition, wired and “finished” in your usual manner (over matted, framed, painted stretched canvas sides, etc.). Frames will be considered for suitability, style and quality. All work must be presented in a professional, ready-to-exhibit manner for this in-person review process. In addition, deliver six individual drawings or else a sketchbook so Jurists can review your drawing skills.

An in-person interview may be required.