Beyond Membership - Getting Involved

There are a lot of art organizations out there, and I am a member of many within St. Louis and even outside of it. Many artists join various groups for different reasons, but I really like to try to immerse myself in what is happening within the groups to whom I belong by becoming more involved. I have learned so much from so many volunteer activities, and I am able to apply this knowledge to many other aspects of artmaking and showing.

I think it is a huge benefit to members to actively participate in those organizations to which they belong. It offers a better sense of what goes on behind the scenes and of what those organizations are doing to benefit their members. And the more involved one is, the more opportunities there are to shape the organization and to express what one wants to get out of membership.

How much members are allowed to do varies from organization to organization, but some ways of getting involved are serving on a committee, serving on the board (if one is truly committed to the group), helping to hang exhibitions, receiving works for jurying, organizing events, applying for grants and networking. All of these activities can be amazing learning experiences and can provide networking opportunities that one may otherwise not have. Many organizations rely heavily on volunteers to be able to maintain their programs, and many artists can stand to learn a lot from volunteering.

So, consider getting more involved in those organizations to which you belong. With so much funding being cut right now and so many people in hard economic times, perhaps you could help out those organizations you support by donating time and energy into making them flourish in spite of the adversity. Besides, it will offer up a chance to learn more and to help shape the focus of the groups to which you belong.