About Membership

By joining the Guild, you are connected to transformative leadership development, capacity building, and networking opportunities with a national community of arts leaders. The benefits of membership include access to cutting-edge tools and resources, learning opportunities with peers and experts, and, ultimately, the support that you need to strengthen communities through the arts. 

To deepen our mission for equity, we are working to grant all members full voting rights and implementing a “Select As You Wish” tiered membership model. This new model will debut in April and take effect on July 1, 2025. The self-selection tiers ensure equitable access and increase the benefits offered to all members including individuals within the community arts ecosystem and organizations. More information and details about this new structure will be announced in April.

In order to update our internal systems and databases to reflect this membership change, we will not be accepting NEW members for 30 days from March 1 - March 31.

Full Member

A Full Member is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization or government agency, or division thereof, offering arts learning opportunities. Members at this level are seeking comprehensive professional development and leadership opportunities for their staff. You must be a Full member, in good standing with the National Guild, to apply for funding opportunities and vote on candidates for the Guild's board of trustees.

Full Member dues are calculated based on organizational or divisional budget size. Dues are 0.075% of your annual budget (rounded to nearest $10), up to a cap of $2,500. Organizations with annual budgets under $300,000 and organizations whose ability to pay has been impacted by the pandemic (regardless of annual budget) have the option to “pay what you can”.

Learn about benefits.

Education Affiliate

Education Affiliates strengthen communities through the arts, but they do not have nonprofit status.

Education Affiliate dues are calculated based on organizational or divisional budget size. Dues are 0.075% of your annual budget (rounded to nearest $10), up to a cap of $2,500. Organizations with annual budgets under $300,000 and organizations whose ability to pay has been impacted by the pandemic (regardless of annual budget) have the option to “pay what you can”.

Learn about benefits.
 

Photo: Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, NY)

Business Affiliate

$250

Business Affiliates support and strengthen arts education and nonprofit management by providing services to community arts education organizations, including HR management, registration software, music technology, and more.

Learn about benefits.