Applying for Membership of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts : Guidance

Introduction

The Academy is committed to putting artists with different cultures, perspectives and experiences at the heart of its artistic community. We aim to select, develop and retain the most talented artists regardless of their background *1, and help them make best use of their talents. We recognise that being a diverse and inclusive Academy helps our objective to promote the appreciation and practice of the fine and applied arts.

We seek to develop an Academy ethos and environment where all artists are treated as individuals, fairly and in a consistent way. We work within the spirit and the practice of the Equality Act 2010 by promoting a culture of respect and dignity, actively challenging discrimination, should it ever arise. We aim to demonstrate the principles of diversity and inclusion in all of the Academy’s exhibitions and associated activities.

*¹This refers to the protected characteristics of sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

Becoming a Member of the Academy

There are two routes to membership of the Academy:

  • by invitation from the Trustees or,

  • an individual artist’s application to the Trustees –

NB the remainder of this guidance and application form applies to the individual artist’s application route. Please be selective in the amount of information that you provide on the Application Form as you can also email your cv with additional information.

The number of members, whether invited or selected after applying, are not limited to any maximum unless otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution of the Academy at its AGM.

What to do if you would like to apply for membership to the Trustees of the Academy

Become familiar with the Academy’s aims, exhibition programme, workshops and projects by visiting the website. Complete and submit a) the Application Form and b) the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

You can also email your cv to swac.contact@gmail.com if you would like to provide more detail. Please attach between 6 and 10 images of your work to swac.contact@gmail.com.

Pay the, non-refundable, application fee of £35 via bank transfer to The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts.

Sort code: 40-20-30 Account number 81877666

What happens next?

A Selection Panel will review your application and draw up a shortlist of artists to be invited to bring 4- 6 of their original works to put before a Selection Panel. Details of the date, time and venue is provided in advance. The Selection Panel is mindful of the Academy’s remit to represent both the Fine and Applied Arts.

After the Selection Panel Meeting

You will be informed of the outcome of the Selection Panel meeting once the Trustees have agreed the Selection Panel’s recommendations - normally within six weeks. Owing to the number of applicants and the complexity of the process we are unable to respond to requests for the reasons why some applicants are successful and some are not. The selection Panels decision if final however applicants are encouraged to continue their relationship with the Academy and consider applying again.

Successful applicants will be sent an invoice for payment of the first year’s subscription. Membership begins once the invoice is paid and signals that you have understood your privileges and obligations to the Academy. The subscription is reviewed each year and is currently set at £150. Successful applicants may use the title of Academician and the suffix SWAc after their names. Providing that their membership subscription is up to date, members are entitled to exhibit, free of entry fees, up to two pieces of work in the Academy’s Annual Open Exhibition.

The Academy looks forward to receiving your application .

The Academy looks forward to receiving your application .

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ and if you have any further queries, please contact us.

Get In Touch

  • Email the Administrator at swac.contact@gmail.com

  • You can apply at any point during the year. Your application will be held until the next membership Selection Panel.

  • The Selection Panel usually meets multiple times a year depending on the number of applications.

  • The Selection Panel includes experienced Academicians from a range of disciplines as well as representatives from the Board of Trustees.

  • Yes, you can apply as your overall experience as an artist will be taken into consideration by the Selection Panel.

  • No, you can email images of your work to accompany your application but you might want to consider a website in the future for promoting your own work.

  • No, however there are some criteria that it may be difficult for you to demonstrate if you have not been a practising artist for long.

  • Yes, if your work can be printed or exhibited in a physical way then we encourage all forms of fine and applied art to be submitted.

  • There is no limit to the number of times that you can apply.