The Artists Guild is looking for new members, and welcomes all applications.

We are looking for artists whose work is authentic, shows depth, technical expertise in their medium, and whose work is an expression of their own unique voice.

10 Benefits of Guild Membership

Non-Economic Benefits

1. Exhibit your art in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. See the city as few others get to experience it.
   
   
2. Meet people from all over the world who love art and want to talk to you about your work.
   
   
3. Be your own art representative. No one knows the depth of your art as well as you, the creator.
   
   
4. Learn what people think of your art. Thousands of people of all ages and cultures will view your work. You will watch them react to your art and even over hear what they say about it. You will learn what your strongest and most popular works are and why. Unlike an art gallery, you will be present when your works are seen. This can give you valuable lessons about your art and how it affects the heart and soul of your audience you can get nowhere else.
   
   
5. Learn how to improve your business skills and sales techniques from other members and from Guild sponsored classes. Creating the work is the most important first step. Getting it out of your studio and into the world is the next step, involving presenting a cohesive body of work, a magnetic presentation, comfortable communication skills with your patrons, following up your contacts, keeping records of clients and transactions, promoting your work through social networks and web sites. Working with like minded artists in the Guild can make this seem a less daunting task.
   
   
6. Contribute your time and skills to the complex work of keeping art alive in the parks and streets of San Francisco. The Artists' Guild of San Francisco is a non-profit organization. Its goals are to bring art to the public to get people involved not just with art, but with the artists who create it. It does this by teaching artists to support themselves with their art on a business level. If the artist makes a profit, our culture profits by supporting a community of artists that can afford to continue to produce their art. Each member does a fair share of work for the Guild, to ensure that there will always be a place to exhibit art.

Economic Benefits

1. Commission free sales and low show fees.  Whereas many street festivals charge over $300 for the weekend and expect a 10% commission (or more), Guild shows typically cost only $30 to $40 with ZERO COMMISSION.
   
   
2. Frequent opportunity to show your work.  The Guild has shows almost every weekend through the years (weather permitting).
   
   
3. Unlike street fairs that require you show for days in a row regardless of the weather (think rain), you can show as often or as infrequently as you like.  Since there is no promoter trying to make a dime off the artists, you are not required to attend shows when the weather is unfavorable.
   
   
4. Make a living as an artist.  For most active Guild members, sales from Guild shows form the basis of our income.  We’ve sold thousands of painting over the years, and continue to make sales even as gallery business has slowed considerably in this down economy.

Is Membership For You?

Here are the Basics for Membership in the Artists Guild San Francisco (AGSF):

1. You are a resident of San Francisco, or of the greater Bay Area.  We are here to support and empower local artists. We have members who live an hour or more away from San Francisco, but you need to be prepared to make the drive into the city on a regular basis.
   
   
2. You are a fine art artist who sells original works for a minimum of $250 per piece or $150 for limited edition prints.
   
   
3. You have or will seek a resale license for purpose of selling your works firsthand and collecting sales tax. Our goal is for you to become successful as an entrepreneur and artist!
   
   
4. You produce art on a daily/weekly basis and have inventory of a consistent body of work to support regular participation and showing.
   
   
5. You would provide and receive mentoring and offer mutual support to fellow artists.  You would follow the rules and regulations as provided in the Handbook and Bylaws of AGSF.
   
   
6. You would be willing to donate a minimum of 96 hours/yr (an average of 8 hours per month) to support the ongoing efforts of the Artists Guild of San Francisco. **Exception is if you choose a membership level for which volunteer hours are not required.
   
   
7. Once accepted there is an initiation period of 6 months.
   
   
8. There are usually 8 shows a month to choose from, mostly at weekends, and you will need to participate in at least 12 during the 6 month initiate period.
   
   
9. You can initially rent exhibition setup (A-frames, table, umbrella, etc.) for $200 for the entire 6 month initiation period. After the initiation period you'll be expected to invest in building and/or buying your own setup.  
   
   
10. Your must have means to transport your art work and exhibit setup to show sites. We have available show helpers who can be hired to help with physical load-in and load-out, but you should be comfortable with the physical effort required to setup and tear down shows.
    
    
11. You must have email and Internet access. All internal communication and show coordination is done online.
    
    
12. Once you have completed your 6 month initiation period and are accepted for full membership, you can choose between a number of membership levels. Membership levels classified as “Working Members” have more responsibilities, (e.g. must donate hours, show at a minimum number of shows, and attend general membership meetings), but have lower fees for the shows.  “Non-working Members” do not donate work hours but pay more per show. The membership level you select is up to you!
    
    
13. After the initiate period, annual membership is $100 for "working members" and up to $250 for "non-working" members. Daily show fees vary from $30 to $95 depending on your type of membership.

Application Process

1. Complete Application (click below)
   
 
2. Your work will receive a preliminary review. Members will review your application and your art work on your website. If you don't have a website you can email images after you application is submitted.
    
   
3. A member will call you to answer any questions you might have, to further describe the Guild, to review the application process, and to schedule you for a jury date.
   
   
4. You'll be asked to bring in a body of 6 to 10 pieces of your work for jury review. The work should be consistent and professional in material and framing. We do not allow the display of photography,giclees or prints. Your work should exhibit the following elements:

• The work you bring should be a consistent, gallery-quality, ready-to-hang show
• Your work should show originality
• It should have life energy and depth
• Shows good technical knowledge, understanding and execution of your medium(s)
• Presented in a professional manner comparable to that displayed in galleries
• Your work should avoid being commercial/market driven/designer oriented

Apply Today

You can apply in the following ways:

CLICK HERE to start an online application (this is preferred)

-- or --

You may CLICK HERE to view, print and mail the membership application (slower process)

Please allow 2 weeks for processing your application (4-6 weeks if you apply by mail). If you have any trouble with the application process please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help!

Questions? email apply@artistsguildsf.com