Arts Professional Associations & Organizations

List of Arts Professional Associations & Organizations

The following List of Arts Professional Associations & Organizations features a compilation of membership-based organizations for arts professionals.

Joining professional associations is a great way to pursue professional development and connect with like-minded arts professionals. It also enhances your credentials on your Resume and LinkedIn profile.

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Related: How to Build Your Network Using Professional Associations

I recommend using this list as a starting point to identify organizations you’re interested in joining, then researching membership costs, eligibility, and how each aligns with your career goals.

Here’s the List:

• American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is a membership-based professional organization for amateur theater individuals.
• American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music-education organization whose expressed purposes outline the association’s dedication to the advancement of choral music.
• American Composers Alliance (ACA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and protecting the works of American composers.
• American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is dedicated to representing professional musicians, playing in orchestras, theaters, film, radio & television, and clubs.
• American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 825,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
• American String Teachers Association (ASTA) is a membership organization for string and orchestra teachers and players.
• American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) is the only national association of professional theatre critics.
• ArtTable is the leading professional organization devoted to supporting women in the visual arts.
• Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) is a membership-based association for university theatre administrators, educators, graduate students, and theatre practitioners.
• Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) is a membership organization offering professional development, leadership skills, and networking for art curators in the not-for-profit sector.
• Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) is the national service, advocacy and membership organization for the performing arts presenting field.
• Association of Professional Art Advisors (APAA) is a membership-based organization comprised of leading independent art advisors, curators and corporate art managers.
• Audio Engineering Society (AES) is the leading professional association worldwide for professionals and students involved in the audio industry.
• College Art Association (CAA) is the world’s largest professional association for artists, art historians, designers, arts professionals.
• International Center of Photography (ICP) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advancing photography and visual culture.
• National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) is a membership organization for theatre producers, composers, and directors dedicated to advancing musical theatre.
• National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA) is a membership organization dedicated to serving the artistic, professional, and economic success of artists who exhibit in art shows.
• National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is a membership organization for professionals involved in music education, audio, entertainment technology, and live event production.
• National Costumers Association (NCA) is a professional organization promoting the artistic, historical, educational, and social nature of costuming
• National Dance Society (NDS) provides leadership in promoting research, advocacy, and best practices in the delivery of dance and dance education.
• National Flute Association (NFA) is dedicated to encouraging a higher standard of artistic excellence for the flute, its performers, and its literature.
• National Folk Organization (NFO-USA) is the leading association for folk dance professionals and practitioners.
• National Opera Association (NOA) promotes excellence in opera education and pedagogy through its support of a diverse community of opera educators and professionals.
• Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is the global leader in drums and percussion with a mission of inspiring, educating, and supporting percussionists and drummers throughout the world.
• Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) is dedicated to the advancement of education for the establishment of the highest professional standards in the visual arts.
• Stage Managers’ Association (SMA) is a professional organization for networking and advocacy, created by and for stage managers.
• The Recording Academy (RA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advancing the music industry and recognizing artistic and technical excellence in recording.

View the entire List of Professional Associations & Organizations >>