Academy Membership
For guidance on applications please read the notes below
As part of their application preparation artists should familiarise themselves with the range, type and standards evident in Academy exhibitions. It is the artist's responsibility to review their own practice and decide if they have sufficient work, of an appropriate standard, to make an application. In doing so we feel that the application will be further strengthened. No pre-application advice on the standard of an individual's work can be given by The Academy or the Selection Panel.
Like the Royal Academies, the South West Academy is a charity run by its artist members. Known by its acronym SWAc, the Academy was formed in Exeter in 2000 by a group of artists and devotees who wished to restore the lost balance between the fine and the applied arts. Led by its first President Alan Cotton, they established a constitution whose chief aims were to exhibit the works of its members and to promote the public’s appreciation of the fine and applied arts.
The Academy created an organisational structure consisting of a Board of Trustees led by a Chair. The various tasks of the Academy are assigned to individual Trustees to lead on such matters as finance, education, publicity and exhibition events.
The Academy defines two categories of Membership to the Academy: Academician, and Honorary Academician.
An Academician is a practising artist who either by invitation or examined application becomes an elected member of the Academy. Full Academy Membership is not only conferred for recognized achievements in art. The criteria include a maturity of understanding in the execution of the particular arts pursued, knowledge of the relevant arts traditions, and a perception of the artist’s own contribution in relation to the traditions. Academicians are entitled to the affix SWAc after their names.
Honorary Academician is conferred on an artist of distinguished achievement associated with the South West region. This artist can either be an existing Academician or one outside the Academy whose artistic contribution is seen to coincide with the Academy’s values. Conferment entitles artists to the affix Hon. SWAc after their names.
For further guidance on applying for membership please contact the Academy at swac.contact@gmail.com.
Guidance on Applying for Membership
Membership Application Form
Click here to complete Membership Application Form (external link).