ABOUT US

Elise Morenon, 1939 – 2023

The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA), the first women’s fine art organization in the country, is a vibrant community of professional women artists that strives to support its members and women artists at large through exhibitions, programs and education.

Open to all women artists 18 years of age and older and U.S. citizens or permanent residents NAWA has three main membership categories for artists –  juried Signature Members, Associate Members and Graduating Student Members. Through a juried process (twice each year – in March and September), applicants are accepted into Signature Membership.  This category is comprised of professional visual artists from across the country.  NAWA also invites emerging artists (non-juried) or Associate Members into the organization until they decide to try for the jury process.  The third category is open to Graduating Students (BFA/MFA) who are presently enrolled in an accredited art school, college and/or university (they receive a courtesy acceptance, and one dues-free year with recommendation of a professor or department head, followed by reduced dues for 3 years if juried in).  NAWA also has a non-artist category for Friends and Supporters of NAWA. This membership category enables non-artists to join this historical organization and be notified of all NAWA events, programs, events and exhibitions and yearly luncheon.

Anita Cohen, 1947 – 2023

The history of NAWA is a testament to the strength and resilience of a group of strong women who would not accept being shut out of the art salons, galleries and art exhibitions open to male artists during the 19^th century. In 1889 their founding of the organization that subsequently became the National Association of Women Artists, Inc. proves that, despite adversity and discrimination – which many feel extends to this day – women are an integral and valuable part of the arts community.

NAWA members represent all areas of the visual arts including painting, sculpture, photography, print-making, encaustic, video art, installations and mixed media. The benefits of membership are many, including a substantial Awards program, the opportunity to display artwork throughout the U.S. in our Exhibitions program, and inclusion in NAWA’s Annual Catalog. The NAWA Permanent Collection, established in 1991 under the direction of Liana Moonie, is housed at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University. The collection contains the work of NAWA artists dating from the organization’s earliest days until its last acquisition in 2010 and some of the collection is always on view at the museum.

NAWA members also have the opportunity to join the Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina Chapters and participate in exhibitions and activities in these states.

NAWA keeps in touch with its members and the wider community through its Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn presence. Please join us in supporting women artists, either through a donation, attendance at an upcoming exhibition or by simply staying in touch.