As a textile artist, there comes a point in your career when you start thinking seriously about taking your textile art to the next level. At this point, one of the questions you need to answer for yourself is if you need to be a member of a professional textile art organization.
I was faced with this question too and I made the decision to join some professional art organizations. I’m a member of a
general art organization (CWA) as well as a member of a textile art organization
(SAQA). Membership in both organizations have been very beneficial to me.
Today, I’ll like to speak to my membership in a textile art organization. This membership comes with an abundance of benefits for any serious textile artist. I wouldn’t have known what I was missing if I were not a member of such a group.
So if you’re not a member of one of these groups, you also, may not know what you’re missing. If you’re a textile artist who is serious about your work and you want to know more about joining a textile art organization, here are 10 good reasons for you to consider.
Benefits of Joining a Professional Textile Art Organization
Professional Benefits
- Industry Trends and Standards:
I have learned so much about acceptable textile art industry standards just by being a member of a textile art organization. You not only get to know what the standards are but you see how you measure up, you aspire to get there and you grow in a positive direction.
- Professional Networking:
Your membership in such an organization will give you access to services which support your work. Some of these services include appraisers, technical people, fabric designers and photographers. What I find even more valuable, is the recommendations of other artists in the group about which of these services to use. You can’t beat customer testimonials!!
- Education:
A professional textile art organization will provide you with opportunities to learn new techniques, ask questions, and get answers. You also get access to a large number of resources – publications, webinars, and conferences. A really good textile art organization will have more information than you can consume.
- Room for Both Established & Emerging Artists:
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing this for a long time, you’ll not feel out of place in one of these organizations. There are people just like you at whatever stage you find yourself right now. I joined when I was just starting out and you can too.
- Commitment to Advancing Your Professional Interests
The goal of a good textile art organization is to promote textile art and advocate on your behalf. If you’ve decided to become serious with your textile art, this goal aligns perfectly with yours and thus a good reason for you to join.
- Exposure for your work:
The first shows I entered my work in, were group shows from my art organizations. This is one of the benefits of your
textile art organization membership. You get to show your work for others to admire and critique. All of which are good things for growth.
- Credentials:
When you join one of these organizations, you get a certain level of respect for your affiliation. You are also seen as a professional, even if you don’t feel like one yet 🙂 .
As you can see, there are many professional benefits but what about personal benefits? Well, there are those too. Let’s take a look …
Personal Benefits
- Social Connections:
You don’t have to be a lonely artist. Textile art organizations have large communities of like-minded individuals (whether local, national, or international) to provide you with support, affirmation, confidence and a sense of belonging. My art group friends are part of my life. We meet regularly to connect with each other and share ideas.
- People Skills:
Creative people are in general introverts. Being in a group of your peers has a way of bringing you out of your shell. You’ll find yourself blooming in a way you won’t do on your own. Moreover, you get to sharpen your people skills and feel more comfortable around others. If you need convincing just look at me. 🙂
- Mentoring
You’re very likely to find a mentor – someone who will take you under their wings and teach you the tricks of the trade, so to speak. Alternatively, you’ll find new purpose in mentoring others.
There are so many reasons to join a professional textile art organization. If you needed convincing, I hope I did. I’m a member of
Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and I can’t recommend it enough. Of course, there are many more textile art organizations available for you to consider.
If you’re at the point where you want to explore textile art further, chose one of these organizations and watch yourself bloom.
Questions: Are you a member of a professional
textile art organization? What are your favorite membership benefits? If you’re not, are you considering membership in such an organization? Share your thoughts below.
Warmest Regards,
