About Art Groups
Art groups can be formal or informal groups of people, usually artists of various types, that gather, meet, share, and collaborate on objectives and network in the art world around them and their communities. The group may simply gather to work on a common project (like a quilt) or to provide a support system for artists to encourage and receive constructive feedback from their peers.
Art groups can be organized as associations, societies, guilds, collectives, councils, alliances, leagues, clubs, networks, or artisans and may hold the status of a nonprofit organization as well.
Why do Artists Join Art Groups?
Visual Art groups can vary greatly in purpose and in structure, size (number of members), types of arts and/or crafts, fine art, and/or specific mediums. The object is to find what is local to you and your needs to see if you fit in. The camaraderie in being with such talented people of such diverse backgrounds, can open up so many opportunities for artists.
To Make Friends. To be around like-minded, talented and creative artists was certainly a goal for me, especially being a new face in an area. Being an artist is mainly a solo activity, but an artist should get out of the studio/house occasionally and rub elbows with other artists.
To Pool Resources. If there is a cost to join the group, and the pooling of those resources may add to lower costs of shared exhibition spaces, equipment, activities and more. Gee, I've been car pooling with some artists to various art galleries, receptions, art drop offs and pickups.
To Learn. Artistic growth is a consideration as you learn from each other, sharing skills and knowledge, and gain exposure and potentially confidence in your artistic talent and skillsets. The art group may offer workshops and classes (free or a fee) that members may be able to attend.
For Your Art Exposure. The artist may want to get more people to see their art and learn the ways they can do that. An active art group that does art shows and exhibitions would help them learn the ropes in not only being in an art show, but potentially managing the quirks and kinks of handling an art show for a group or as a solo artist. If the group has connections to galleries, even better I say!
Art Opportunities. An art group with great connections will have doors open to them that may not have been there as a solo artist, certainly as an emerging artist. The artist will learn about so many art calls, calls for artists, gallery and shows open to artists or to the art group only, or that may never have been on their radar otherwise.
For Inspiration, Ideas. Artists come across so much creativity in an art group that the artists can feed off of each other for all sorts of motivation. Challenges in topics, subjects, and activities like plein air painting, visiting museums, or working on a group project can expand anyone's horizons in so many ways.
Community Growth. The art group may have goals and mission statements that involve art and art culture in their local town or county and their artistic vision should project out to their community in measurable ways.
Location. Where are the meetings held? Is it convenient so that you can attend regularly at that place, day and time?
What Should Art Groups Have?
Again, it depends on the type of art group and what their aims are. At a minimum, the group should meet on a regular basis. For hobby or craft groups that may mean a weekly get together, for an art organization that may mean monthly meetings on a set day and time. The type of group will dictate the formality of the agenda, the leadership, expectations, and more.
- Does the art group offer a monthly agenda of some sort that you would enjoy?
- Does the group paint together or offer guest artist programs to demo or tell art tips, tricks, art processes of interest?
- Hopefully the group offers a variety of programs to hold interest and just plain be fun and enjoyable. (That's the main thing isn't it?)
- Are the members people you can learn from, offering support, feedback, and accountability when needed?
- How well connected are the members and the group to the community around them?
- What events does the art group offer periodically?
- Does the art group have By-Laws? Committees?
Should I Join an Art Group?
Of course it depends on you and your needs. Is the group an open group or a closed group? A public group should have more structure to their meetings so that things don't go off the rails and a private, closed group may only accept a small group of people - you may need to know someone to get in! Art groups definitely come in every shape and size and functionality.
Understand the Mission Statement of the art group and understand the art group's expectations if you join them.
Membership Types. Find out if it is an art group for your art type, for your age group, and does skill level matter? If the art group has a website, the info should be found there.
Finances and Fee Structures. Is there an annual fee for membership? Are there additional fees to enter art shows, pay for workshops, attend art activities, etc. What is the commission they charge when artwork sells?
Do you need to volunteer for anything?
Review that art group's By-Laws. In asking questions of the groups members you will find out about the expectations, perhaps requirements expected of you as a member. Most nonprofit groups work from a volunteer standpoint. People do not get paid to do the leadership or committee positions for that group to function. Yet, nature of the beast, those positions are essential to the success of the entire group.
In art shows, even in some gallery situations, volunteers are asked to not only be the show coordinator or co-coordinator, to help set up the show, be in a committee of some sort, and/or to help man the desk for visitors and art sales. There are learning curves for any position, but in my experience, there is always someone to help others learn how to do the art tasks needed.
How Do I Find an Art Group?
The artist community around and near you may be a lot deeper than you know until you go looking for it. Do a Google search for any of the above art organizational terms 'near me'....or you may be able to begin your own group and build it the way you like.
You can also find art groups local to you online, in social media. I found the art group I belong to, some years ago on Facebook. Find out if you can attend a meeting as a non-member to learn more about the group before you commit to the membership.
I've told artists I found in the paint aisle of Michaels and told them about art groups!
Art Group as a Hobbyist
A small art group may start as a single medium (like a watercolor group), a hobby or craft group, a paint group or something similar. The group may be looked at as solving a problem and fitting a need - from as simple as a group of creative friends that get together in each other's homes (or elsewhere) to a more organized group or club with much more growth, goals, strategies, and activities. An art group must start somewhere!
Art Group as a NonProfit
There are nonprofit art groups that are at the level of 501(c)(3), which means the Internal Revenue Code grants the federal income tax-exempt status. The IRS allows said organization to nonprofits that serve specific public benefit purposes. The purposes of the group need to operate exclusively as either a charitable, religious, literary, educational, scientific, or several other purposes.
There are definite guidelines and regulations (and some expenses) the nonprofit must follow such as be limited in political activities, no private benefit to individuals or shareholders, donations are deductible, and are exempt from federal income tax. The 501(c)(3) status also allows that the group is eligible to apply for various grants.
Art groups may be welcoming to people to join whether they are artists or not, or any level of artist. They can be anyone - even art lovers that enjoy supporting the artists in their community.
Any Cons Against Joining an Art Group?
What is the down-side of joining an art group? I suppose everyone knows the saying, "People are people are people..." Yep they are, including artists. Believe me, most all artists wish they could spend 90% or higher of their day just creating art. We all get that. Art groups can be great things, but occasionally personalities collide, misunderstanding happen, oh you know - people happen.
I can name a few items of contention that I've seen over the years in various art groups, shows, and spaces.
- Unrealistic expectations of artists and by artists. Some artists join and enter one show and if they don't make a sale, that's the last you see of them. Or if an artist enters a show and doesn't get juried in, they disappear.
- The success of art sales at a joint art group show can vary greatly between artists, for any number of reasons. One artist may sell very well, while another sells nothing, which may lead to resentment. It is true that a group show has the potential to offer an individual artist less attention or being overshadowed by a more friendlier, outgoing, artist personality.
- Potential buyer 'theft' at a show. I've been talking to a potential buyer at a show and had a fellow artist rudely jump in on the conversation and lead the buyer over to their art because they overheard something that they want to try to sell to that person.
- There is less space to show our art but if you weren't a member, would your art have been there at all?
- One artist member may not understand that most artists take their art business as just that - a business. They run it as a business, they dress professionally for the event, they present their work that way, and they expect their fellow artists to do the same. Especially if handling each others work if needed, to showing up on time, to being presentable.
- Getting in the way of other people's art on display. I always try to emphasize to my fellow artists at a show to "stay out of the tent" or to "stay out of the aisles" in a group show. Another artist's work may not be able to be seen.
- Divas - yes there are some "art divas" out there. Their artwork may be fantastic but their egos are bigger. They want things their way and don't pitch in to help - generally a pain in the caboose.
With that being said, I believe the Pros far outweigh the cons about being a member in an art group. Some of these points can be cleared up before the show begins and perhaps the artist with unrealistic expectations will find their instant success elsewhere. I wish them luck.
Benefits of Joining an Artist Group
- For the fun of it. We've had so many great art shows, art receptions, get togethers, Christmas parties - I've enjoyed each group I've been in.
- Friendships, camaraderie, support - I have seen it for me, I've seen it for so many others. We boost each other in our accomplishments, our successes, our new art, an art sale. We help each other out and many make great friendships.
- Sharing the burden, the workload, the resources. The equipment owned by the art group must be stored somewhere and would be quite expensive on our own and sharing the workload of show setup and take down is shared by all attending.
- The networking opportunities are many. I have learned so much, I can write about it.
- Increased visibility, exposure - online, offline, group shows, group articles and social media, blog posts, on and on.
See Benefits of Volunteering - Getting Involved in Your Local Art Group
Are You a Good Fit For That Art Group?
If nothing else, artists are VERY creative people. From all walks of life. Of all age groups, talent levels. Some are self-taught, some are art educated or have jobs in an artistic type field. Some artists work in fields that may not look 'art related', yet their organizational experience, or other work duties would translate well into the needs of an art group as they know how to manage or promote people, teams, resources, social media, and so much more.
Yet you, the artist has to assess the fit of you into the art group:
- Can you participate in the meetings and group's activities? Perhaps not every single meeting, but most of them so that you know what is going on.
- What can you bring to the group - do you have skillsets that would help out the group especially when someone is needed for that type of help?
- Will you volunteer to help so you can also learn how that task or duty is done? Art group members shouldn't rely on everyone else doing all the work toward success without pitching in.
- Do you complain negatively more than you offer positivity?
And this known fact: Many an active art group member gets burned out because other members do not step up to help get a job, or task, or project done and very typically a few members carry the entire group. That's not fair to them.
The growth of that group not only depends on the leadership, but the willingness of its members to help in the achievement toward the group's mission and goals.
New members should be joining for the right reasons and should be willing to give as much as they get. It may take a little bit to learn where and what you can help with, but art group members are usually very willing to accept and support, share their knowledge and experience with other artists willing to do the same.
Are you a member of any art groups? Which ones? What makes your art group outstanding? Drop a comment below
For Further Reading
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.
*I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.
Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook.
I'm currently (2025) a member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) and the PWC Arts Council (PWCAC). I have been a member of the Crossroads Arts Alliance (CAA), Manassas Art Guild (MAG) and the Falls Church Arts (FCA) before, here in Northern Virginia. They are all good groups, just that PWAS is closest to me and the first one I found. What groups do you belong to?
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