Membership shall be open to any artist who meets the eligibility requirements regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

The Martin Artisans Guild is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and the support of artists.

At the Martin Artisans Guild, we’re excited to create a supportive community where artists can exchange ideas and grow together. Our goal is to enrich our members and impact Martin County’s artistic culture by showcasing high-quality, relevant art in various mediums and styles, ranging fron oils and watercolors to fabrics, collage, sculpture, photography and everything in between, in our beautiful gallery space, The Palm Room Art Gallery & Artisans Boutique.

There are many reasons to consider joining, the biggest being that what you may not be able to do alone can be done in a community!

Membership Shared Benefits

• Showcase your best artwork in 6 exciting exhibits each year at The Palm Room Art Gallery! We’ll help you promote your work to collectors, designers and art lovers from all over Martin County and beyond.

• Cooperative sharing of exhibit fees covers the cost of a beautiful gallery space, marketing and fabulous opening receptions that keep art enthusiasts coming back for more.

  Collectors love to meet artists, so our exhibiting artists cover short gallery docent shifts (3-4 per show). Hanging out with other artists while contributing 10 volunteer hours a year helps to keep our Guild thriving.

• Engaging meetings where we share ideas, enjoy demonstrations and discover new exhibit opportunities. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about both the creative and business sides of art.

  A chance to participate in the Martin County Open Studio and Gallery Tour! If you meet your volunteer and exhibit requirements, you could connect with up to 400 visitors over a fantastic two-day weekend.

Becoming a Member

Complete our quick checklist below to determine of you’re ready to apply. Even if you feel prepared, you may still have only one of two simple qualifications that would block your acceptance. If that’s the case, please work on those items and wait for the next submission period. Our rigorous qualifications are designed to support youo as an artist and pave the way for your success. To apply, it only costs a $15 processing fee, which is non-refundable but will provide you with valuable feedback on your current art career status.

Feel free to reach out with any questions to: membership@mcost.org.

Membership calls for the Martin Artisans Guild are juried and occur twice a year. The membership year runs from April 1st to the end of March.

Here is some great information all applicants should read:

When Are You Ready to Call Yourself a Professional Artist?

_____ I live, have a studio, or teach art in Martin County.

_____ I have an art resume and artist’s statement.

_____ I have basic computer skills.

_____ I have a dedicated website or online social media art presence.

_____ I have exhibition experience.

_____ I have a consistent body of work that reflects skill and understanding in my primary medium.

How much will it cost?

As a cooperative non-profit organization, we have operating costs which include the expenses of a beautiful gallery space, effective marketing to get your work out there, and fabulous opening receptions that draw art enthusiasts back for more. You can spend time and money doing all that for yourself, or you can enjoy more time creating by sharing Guild resources!

Our all-volunteer teams work to keep the costs to a minimum by offsetting with fundraisers and grants. In exchange, we require exhibit fees, a little docent time for exhibits, and volunteer hours as explained below.

MEMBERSHIP TIERS

The Martin Artisans Guild is a community built by artists, for artists. Whether you’re a working professional, an emerging voice, or a student just beginning your journey, there’s a place for you here. Our membership structure is designed to be transparent, flexible, and rooted in what makes a Guild truly work: shared commitment, shared space, and shared purpose.

Professional – Participating | $150/year

For artists who want to be at the heart of Guild life.

This tier is for members who are ready to roll up their sleeves and help keep the Guild running. Participating members contribute 10 volunteer hours per year — that’s just about an hour a month — and serve on at least one committee. In return, you get full access to everything the Guild has to offer.

What’s included:

• Full eligibility for all exhibits

• Eligibility for leadership roles

• Full Martin County Open Studio Tour (MCOST) participation

• Voting rights and access to all Guild programs

• Minimum 1 exhibit per year required

• Committee membership required. Must work a minimum of 10 volunteer hours per year.

This tier is for members who value full participation and want to invest their time in the community that supports their work.

Professional – Sustaining | $400/year

For artists who want to stay connected when time is short.

Life gets busy. The Sustaining tier recognizes that some of our most valued members go through seasons where volunteering regularly just isn’t possible. Higher dues replace the volunteer commitment — and those funds go directly toward what keeps the Guild’s doors open: rent, programming, and operations.

What’s included:

• Full eligibility for all exhibits

• Full MCOST participation

• Minimum 1 exhibit per year required

• No volunteer or committee requirement

Please note: Sustaining members are not eligible for leadership roles, grants, or reductions in Martin County Open Studio Tour fees.

This tier is for members who value their Guild participation and exhibiting opportunities, and want to contribute financially when time isn’t available.

Requirements for Professional-level membership (either Participating or Sustaining):

1. A professional website and/or Facebook page/social media presence.

2. An art resume showing exhibiting in professional-level fine art exhibitions.

3. A professional Artist’s Statement explaining your art vision.

4. A substantial body of work that exhibits a clear understanding of the principles and techniques of excellence in their chosen medium.

Professional Members SHOULD have:

1. Evidence of continuous improvement via classes and/or workshops.

2. May be required to be a member of MartinArts and/or the Elliott Museum.

Emerging Professional | $100/year

For artists building toward full professional participation.

The Emerging Professional tier is a two-year pathway designed to support artists who are growing into Guild membership. You’ll have full exhibit access, a required committee role, and 10 volunteer hours per year — giving you the experience and connections to thrive as a full Professional member.

What’s included:

• Full exhibit access (with priority given to Professional members if space is limited)

• Summer Salon participation strongly encouraged

• Committee participation required. 10 volunteer hours/year required.

• Eligibility for leadership roles and MCOST participation

  Important to know: Emerging status may be held for up to two years, after which members must re-jury to continue. This tier is a transitional pathway — a starting point, not a permanent home.

This tier is for artists newer to the professional landscape who want mentorship, community, and a clear path forward.

Requirements for Emerging Professional-level membership:

Emerging Professional members must meet all the requirements of Professional members, but may not have as much exhibition experience and may still be in the process of learning the techniques of excellence in their medium.

Emerging Professional artists should clearly demonstrate ongoing and regular efforts to further their professional career through attendance at workshops, classes and seminars.

Emerging Professional artists may be required to be a member of MartinArts and/or the Elliott Museum.

Emerging Professional Artists may request an upgrade to Professional at any time during the year. Emerging Professionals are eligible to work with a Mentor to help them achieve Professional status.

There will be no more than 25% of the total membership as Emerging Professional members. If the number of applicants juried as Emerging Professionals exceeds that, the applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

Student Member | Free

For young artists just finding their footing.

Student membership is available to artists under age 21 who are nominated by a current Guild member and accepted by the Board of Directors. There are no dues or fees.

Student members:

• May exhibit in the Summer Salon each year

• May assist with committee duties as assigned by a Committee Chair

• May exhibit at their sponsoring member’s studio during MCOST, with the sponsor’s permission

• Are not eligible to vote or hold office

Exhibit Fees

Exhibiting is at the core of Guild membership. Our exhibit fees are structured to be accessible across tiers:

• Standard 2-month exhibits: $150 / $125 / $100 (season-dependent)

• Summer Salon: $50 — our most accessible entry point, and the required minimum exhibit option

Hardship/Pause Policy

Life happens. If you’re facing financial hardship or a personal challenge, our Hardship/Pause Policy allows you to temporarily step back without losing your connection to the Guild.

Any Professional or Emerging member may apply for a pause of up to 3 months (or up to 6 months for documented long-term hardship). Pauses are approved by a full Board vote upon recommendation from the Membership Committee. During a pause, you remain part of our community — you’ll still receive Guild communications — but exhibit participation and volunteer hours are put on hold. A member does not need to reapply when hardship is granted.

A member may not exceed 6 total months of pause within any 24-month period.

To request a pause, reach out to the Membership Committee.

Volunteer Hours: How It Works

Participating and Emerging members track their volunteer hours quarterly using our online log. The Membership Committee monitors progress throughout the year and will reach out with reminders and support if you’re falling behind. We want everyone to succeed — and we’d much rather help you find a way to catch up than see you miss a renewal.

Here’s how the year unfolds:

Q1: Gentle reminder if you’re not on track

Q2: A check-in with options — catch-up opportunities, a switch to Sustaining, or a pause request

Q3: Members must choose a path forward

Renewal: Membership cannot be renewed without meeting tier requirements

Tier choice is made explicitly at renewal each year, so you can always reassess what works best for your life.

Ready to apply? Follow these steps:

1. Complete the New Member Application (below).

2. Email the following to membership@mcost.org:

   1. Your Artist Resume and Artist’s Statement. Your resume should highlight your art education, training, workshops, exhibitions, awards, and membership in other art organizations (particularly state, regional, national and international organizations). Include any adult art teaching experience. List any continuing art education (classes, workshops, seminars), particularly those with nationally-ranked artists.

   2. Click the Application Fee button below to pay the $15 Application Fee. Your application cannot be considered until this is paid. This fee is non-refundable.

   3. Wait to hear from us. Upon invitation, you will be asked to bring your work to the Palm Room Art Gallery & Artisans Boutique. The work that you bring to this jurying session will be the medium that will be considered. In other words, if you work in more than one medium (painting and sculpture, for example), you should bring an example of each medium. (This does not mean, for example, oil and watercolor. That would all fall under Painting.)

OUR PROCESS: Your application, your resume/artist’s statement, your work on your website/social media page and your artwork will be reviewed by members of the Membership Jurying Committee. The Membership Jurying Committee will be looking for a body of work that demonstrates a clear understanding of the principles and techniques of excellence in your chosen medium, as well as ongoing efforts to further your professional career. If accepted, the type of membership (Professional or Emerging Professional) will be determined by the Jurying Committee based on your work and your qualifications.

After this review, the Membership Chair will notify you of the jurying decision and the level at which you have been accpted. If you are accepted, you will be invited to an interview with a Board Member, who will introduce you to our policies and answer any questions you may have. If you understand what is expected and are committed, you will be given the password to the Members Only section of our website, where you will be directed to pay your dues at the level accepted.