Artist Standing

In 1999, Northern California Arts, Inc. developed a four-level Artist Standing certificate program to recognize and encourage excellence within the membership: A – Artist, SA – Signature Artist, SSA – Senior Signature Artist, and MP (or MA) – Master Painter (or Master Artist).

NCA Artist Standing Recipients - group photo

Artist Standing recipients present at the NCA General Meeting 2/12/2020. at the FRONT ROW: Carol Ross MP, Rebecca Jaggers A, Diana Blasingame A, Mary Wang – Steel SA , Joan McMurray SA. BACK ROW: Bobbie Lou Hunt SA, Diana Licon MP, David Peterson MP. Randy Honerlah A,Skip Lee MP, Marie Dixon MP, Barbara Marshall A

The four levels of achievements are reached through a combination of exhibiting work in juried shows and completing service hours.  The program is designed to require a continuous output of work, with widening areas of competition, and increased service and dedication to NCA as an organization.

 

Application Process

Requirements and application forms for each level are given below. Applicants must complete all of the requirements of the preceding level prior to applying for the next higher level. The date the preceding application was submitted is the dividing line: only shows entered after that date are considered for the next higher degree of artist standing. This allows the artist to work on their next level prior to being formally presented with their level certificate.

Place your application and supporting documentation in a manila envelope and submit it to the Artist Standing chair at any NCA General Meeting, or leave it in the Sacramento Fine Arts Center office.  Your application will be reviewed and your supporting documentation will be returned to you.

Juried Shows

Qualifying shows must be juried shows that are open to all NCA members. Juried shows are those in which submitted works must be accepted by a jury in order to be included in the show. (Therefore, a membership show that automatically hangs all work submitted by members would not qualify.)

All artist standing applications must be accompanied with printed proof of exhibition. Only printed proof of an exhibition is acceptable. Catalogs are preferred, but email or written statements by show chairs verifying the applicants’ acceptance into a juried show can be used as substitutes.  All qualifying shows must be approved by the NCA Board.  Some qualifying juried shows are listed at the bottom of this page, and others may be approved by the NCA Board. If in doubt, contact the Artist Standing Chair about a specific show.

NCA Volunteer Service

Volunteer service should be verified by an NCA Board member or by notations in the SFAC Service Log. At this time both SFAC and NCA service is allowed; service to other organizations does not count.  Qualifying activities include the NCA Board, SFAC docent, show volunteers, or NCA Board approved projects. Your application must be accompanied with your service log (use back of application form if needed) specifying service rendered, date, total hours and signature of NCA Board member or SFAC representative verifying the service at time performed.

Level 1 – Artist

NCA Artist Standing Level 1 Application Form

To achieve Artist standing, include documentation of completion for the follow items with your application form.

  1. Attend four or more regular NCA meetings after becoming a member.
  2. Present proof of having five different works accepted in five separate juried shows.
    1. All shows must be approved by the NCA Board.
    2. None can be dated prior to your NCA membership.

No volunteer hours are required for this level, but are greatly appreciated!

Level 2 – Signature Artist

NCA Artist Standing Level 2 Application Form

Members achieving Signature Artist standing are entitled to use the initials “NCA” after their signature.

To achieve Artist standing, include documentation of completion for the follow items with your application form. You must obtain Level 1 – Artist standing prior to application. All accompanying proof must have a later date than the last juried show supporting your application for Level 1 – Artist.

  • Have five different works accepted in five separate juried shows.
    • A minimum of three of the five shows must be held outside the Sacramento County area. The California State Fair, the Crocker Kingsley, or the NCA Open (Bold Expressions) can substitute for one out of area show.
  • Complete 18 hours of volunteer service for Northern California Arts, Inc.

Level 3 – Senior Signature Artist

NCA Artist Standing Level 3 Application Form

To achieve Senior Signature Artist standing, include documentation of completion for the follow items with your application form. You must obtain Level 2 – Signature Artist standing prior to application. All accompanying proof must have a later date than the last juried show supporting your application for Level 2 – Signature Artist.

  • Have five different works accepted in five separate juried shows.
    • A minimum of three of the five shows must be held outside the Sacramento County area. The California State Fair, the Crocker Kingsley, or the NCA Open (Bold Expressions) can substitute for one out of area show.
    • One or more must be a national or international competition.
  • Complete 24 hours of volunteer service for Northern California Arts, Inc.

Level 4 – Master Artist

NCA Artist Standing Level 4 Application Form

Members achieving Master Painter standing are entitled to use the initials “NCA, MA” (Master Artist) or “NCA, MP” (Master Painter) after their signature.

To achieve Master Artist standing, include documentation of completion for the follow items with your application form. You must obtain Level 3 – Senior Signature Artist standing prior to application. All accompanying proof must have a later date than the last juried show supporting your application for Level 3 – Senior Signature Artist.

  • Have five different works accepted in five separate shows.
    • A minimum of three of the five shows must be held outside the Sacramento County area. The California State Fair, the Crocker Kingsley, or the NCA Open (Bold Expressions) can substitute for one out of area show.
    • Two or more must be national or international competitions.
  • Receive one or more awards from one or more of the juried shows you are submitting with this application.
  • Complete 30 hours of volunteer service for Northern California Arts, Inc.

Qualifying Juried Shows

Qualifying shows include the following exhibitions. Others may be approved by the NCA Board; if in doubt, just ask!

  • All open juried shows at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center
  • Art for the Parks
  • Crocker Kingsley
  • Delta Art Assn., Antioch
  • Fairfield Regional Juried Art Show
  • Feats of Clay, Lincoln
  • Ione Homecoming
  • Annual Livermore Show
  • Lodi Grape Festival
  • Modesto Spring Art Show
  • Mother Lode National, Sonora
  • Mt. Diablo Art Association
  • New Art Works
  • NCA Membership
  • NCA Open
  • Pastel International
  • Placerville Mother Lode
  • Roseville Arts Center Open Show St. John Lutheran Church
  • Santa Cruz Statewide Exhibit State Fair (California Works)
  • Stockton Art League Vacaville Open Art Show WASH Open
  • Yosemite Renaissance