We welcome all professional visual and applied artists living and working in Scotland.
Any visual or applied artist working in Scotland who meets at least two of our membership criteria can join. These are not difficult for most professionals. Holding a degree is one of the listed criteria, but it carries no more weight than any other; non-graduates are very welcome!
We have three levels of membership:
- Full - open to visual and applied artists who have established their professional status through fulfilling four of the Union's membership criteria.
- Associate - is available to persons fulfilling two of the Union's membership criteria. Without voting rights, but can access the same level of benefits as Full Membership. Membership can level up to Full Membership as and when four membership criteria can be met.
- Graduate - open to final year undergraduate/college students, post-graduate students and graduates. Membership at the 'Graduate' rate will be for 12 months - This opportunity is only open for the first year of a new membership to the Union (a graduate applicant cannot be an existing Scottish Artists Union member). The fee is paid by a monthly Direct Debit at £3.25 per month for the first 12 months of your Union membership. As a Graduate Member of the Union you must still be able to meet a minimum of two membership criteria as an Associate Member, or a minimum of four membership criteria as a Full Member. At the end of the 12 months your membership will be reassessed regarding your eligibility for Full or Associate membership of the Union, and regular terms and subscription fees will apply.
A membership to Scottish Artists Union gets you professional support and access to resources including:
- Free Product and Public Liability Insurance
- Free Professional Indemnity Cover
- 1/2 an hour Free Legal Advice from Thompsons Solicitors
- Free access to workshops and training events
- Discounts on art materials at many art retail outlets throughout Scotland
- Access to a network of advice, guidance and support on all aspects of professional art practice, including payment disputes and contract negotiations.
Membership fees are £78.00 per year. Annual membership runs from 1st of April to 31st of March and is payable by Direct Debit. Membership renews automatically.
You can join throughout the year and will be charged pro rata e.g. if you join in July you will pay £58.50, and your membership will run to 31st March and automatically renew. You can set up as an annual payment or monthly instalments of £6.50 per month.
Members paying annual fees in monthly instalments:
Your first payment of membership fees will cover the first 3 months of your membership, i.e. 3 x £6.50 = £19.50. After the third month of your membership, your direct debit payments will continue at the fee of £6.50 per month.