YOU CAN BE A PART OF US
Join CSP and become part of its 110+ year legacy! When you become a member of the California Society of Printmakers you’ll enjoy many benefits associated with the oldest printmaking society in the nation including exhibition opportunities, artist residencies, and more.
Artist and Student Members must initially be juried into the California Society of Printmakers via a Portfolio Review, which is a juried process held twice each year.
The summer application deadline is June 1 and the winter application deadline is December 1.
JURIED MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Artist Membership: Annual Dues $50
All benefits listed below. Artist members are initially juried in.
Student Membership: Annual Dues $20
Receives artist member benefits listed below. Student members are initially juried in. To be eligible for a student membership, one must be enrolled in a printmaking program with a college or university at the time of jurying. The goal of student membership is to provide a financial break on application fees and yearly dues as well as a reduced work sample requirement to artists currently pursuing a degree in printmaking.
Laura Cantor, Watertower, Windows
Application Process
Membership in the CSP is open to artists from anywhere in the world who create hand-pulled prints. This includes artists who use traditional printmaking techniques, such as etching, lithography, relief printing, and silk screen. It also includes artists who make hybrid prints, monotypes, artist books and print installations, so long as some hand printmaking is involved. Artists who use solely photographic or digital methods are not eligible for artist membership.
Artist and Student Members are juried into the organization by a review committee of current and previous members of the CSP Board of Directors. Portfolio Reviews for membership are held twice a year with application deadlines on June 1 and December 1.
Applicants will be notified within 45 days of the portfolio review deadline.
There is no limit to the number of times an artist may apply for membership.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Membership Benefits
● Annual Members’ Exhibition: The CSP presents an annual non-juried exhibition for its Artist Members. This exhibition is usually held in the San Francisco Bay Area.
● Juried Exhibitions: The CSP sponsors juried exhibitions for its Artist Members at a variety of levels and venues. While many are held in the Bay Area, others have been held throughout the country and internationally.
● Artists’ Residencies: This competitive, high profile Artist member benefit involves select Master Printmakers and print studios from around the Bay Area. Each residency host receives a stipend to facilitate a print based project focused in the area of specialty of the Master Printmaker, or the studio facilities. Application is via the CSP Submittable.
● The Annual Meeting: The CSP Annual meeting hosts an invited special guest or conducts an artists panel which discusses topics of interest to printmakers. A membership exhibition is often held in conjunction with the meeting as are a print exchange and other print activities. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for members to meet other print artists and supporters of the print arts, learn of upcoming CSP opportunities and programs, and share food and beverages in a lively, informal setting.
● Members’ Listserv: The members’ listserv is an email forum which provides members with information on events, exhibitions, opportunities and other information of print interest. Members are encouraged to post their own exhibitions, events and other print related information on the listserv.
● Special Events: Special Events include visits to professional institutions and artists’ studios, panels, talks, workshops, demos and networking events. These events provide opportunities for members to learn about contemporary issues in printmaking; about specific printmaking techniques and print venues; and are excellent opportunities to network and exchange professional expertise.
● The California Printmaker: The Journal of the California Society of Printmakers is a global journal of contemporary printmaking published annually.
● Member news features in Relevant Ink, CSP’s bi-monthly newsletter, and on CSP social media.
● Membership Directory: Digital directory of current members published annually.
● Website Portfolio: This is a self-managed artwork portfolio on the CSP website.
● Kala Art Institute Discount: Take 10% off all Kala Classes and Workshops.
Additional Student Benefits:
● reduced application fee
● reduced annual membership dues
● fewer required work samples in submitted portfolio.
Elizabeth Addison, Breath-Hills series
Portfolio Requirements
Please submit a cohesive body of work that demonstrates your personal artistic vision, rather than a sampling of unrelated works. Images must be clear and of quality and demonstrate professional presentation. Submitted works must be current (within last three years).
See Artist Resources for links to professional documentation standards and tips
Student applicants are expected to employ the same standard and quality of work as Artist member applicants, with fewer work samples submitted.
Book artists should submit three books produced in the past three years. It is recommended that each book project has a minimum of three images submitted for review. Books must include at least one original print that meets the criteria above.
Artists may submit installations using print work produced in the past three years. It is recommended that each installation project has a minimum of three images submitted for review. Installations must include at least one original print that meets the criteria above.
Review Criteria
In reviewing your work for both artist and student applications, we will look at the following factors:
● Whether work demonstrates a professional level of technical competence and a master proficiency in the medium submitted
● Whether the the body of work as a whole shows a consistent, well developed artistic vision.
● Documentation images must be of professional presentation: work is clearly photographed on a clear, neutral background, or shown in situ, for installation work. See artist resources links for professional documentation standards and tips.
Artist Membership Application
● 10 images of recent work (within last 3 years)
● Artist Bio (500 word count maximum)
● Artist Statement (500 word count maximum)
● Image list
● Optional Technical Note (500 word count maximum)
● $35 application fee (non-refundable)
Student Membership Application
● 5 images of recent work (within last 3 years)
● Proof of enrollment in a college printmaking program at the time of jurying.
● Artist Bio (500 word count maximum)
● Artist Statement (500 word count maximum)
● Image list
● Optional Technical Note (500 word count maximum)
● $20 application fee (non-refundable)
Supporting Memberships
Friend Membership: Annual Dues $60
For everyone who wishes to support the California Society of Printmakers and connect with our community of printmakers and printmaking supporters. Benefits include a copy of each year’s The California Printmaker, CSP’s annual journal, invitations to exhibitions, and eligible to participate in all special events.
Institutional Membership. Annual Dues $75
For public, non-profit, and educational organizations. Institutional members receive above Friend Membership benefits, plus a logo and link with a descriptive paragraph on the CSP website, and logo in the Membership Directory.
Business Membership: Four tiered levels with Annual Dues starting at $125
Receives above Institutional Membership benefits plus advertisement in The California Printmaker, CSP’s annual journal; and opportunities to market supplies and/or services to CSP members.
Karen Schroeder, Just a Tree
Non-Juried Membership Benefits
Friend Membership
Receives The California Printmaker, CSP’s annual journal, invitations to exhibitions, and is eligible to participate in all special events. Institutional membership
Institutional Membership
Receives above Friend Membership benefits plus a logo and link with a descriptive paragraph on the CSP website, and logo in the Membership Directory.
Business Level Memberships
All Business Memberships include: your logo and link on CSP website, your logo in the CSP Membership Directory, your Advertisement in The California Printmaker, CSP’s annual journal; and opportunities to market supplies and/or services to CSP members. Instructions for logo and advertising files will be sent upon payment.
● Gold Ink level, $550
The California Printmaker, full page color ad: 9-1/2″ h x 7″ w
● Silver Ink level, $400
The California Printmaker, half page color ad: 4-3/8″ h x 7″ w
● Red Ink level, $250
The California Printmaker, quarter page color ad: 4-3/8″ h x 3-1/4″ w
● Black Ink level, $125
The California Printmaker, black and white classified listing with or without logo
Purchase your Business membership before November 15 to have your information included in the next edition of The California Printmaker.
Additional ways to support CSP
Direct Donations and Advertising in our annual journal, The California Printmaker.
CSP is completely run by member volunteers and supported by donations and membership fees. 100% of all donations go directly to support programs, events and artist opportunities.
Kelly Autumn, Gum Moon Girls
Online Membership Payment
Please list the individual/organization/business name in the notes section if using an account with a different name.
<INSERT PAYMENT FORM ONCE LIVE>
Membership dues and financial contributions are tax deductible within the rules of the IRS. 501(c)(3) non-profit: #94-3041475.
Payment by Check
You can also pay for your membership by check. Please contact the Membership Chair and make checks payable to the California Society of Printmakers.
Post to: California Society of Printmakers, P.O. Box 194202, San Francisco, CA 94119-4202
DONATE TO CSP
By donating to CSP, you help fund programs that directly support working artists-society’s catalysts for change. These programs provide resources for contemporary artists to thrive, opportunities for peer-to-peer collaboration, and advancement in the field of contemporary printmaking.
You can set up a recurring gift online by checking the box within the PayPal portal.
1912
Year Founded
230+
Members
8
Institutional Partners