The League was founded by a group of art students who were determined to create a school where their opinions were taken seriously and their needs were met. Membership at the League ensures that the ideals of our founding artists are continued. Today, the nearly 4,000 members of the Art Students League of New York make up the school's governing body.
The first League members determined the League’s structure and set parameters that have guided the institution, as outlined in the League’s constitution, for more than a century. To this day, all League members have voting power, which they use to elect the Board of Control from their ranks and determine any changes to the League’s constitution.
Discounted tickets to the League Dream Ball and other special events.
Free admission to Weekday Open Sketch sessions.
Reduced admission to Weekend Open Sketch and Painting sessions.
Voting rights at League Member Business Meetings.
Eligibility to serve on the League’s Board of Control
Eligibility to apply for grants for League members.
Invitations to attend special events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Eligibility to exhibitions and news listed in the Members Newsletter.
The membership of The League is made up of longtime students and instructors at The League. Any student who has completed at least 210 hours of classes is eligible for membership. Members pay annual dues to maintain their status as active members. After 10 years as a member in good standing, members become life members, and dues are no longer required.
To become a member, a student must be proposed by a current member, seconded by two additional members, and voted in during the Members Business Meeting according to the procedure outlined below.
A student who wishes to apply for membership must have attended the League a minimum of 210 class hours. This is approximately:
Membership Status: Renewals, Reinstatements, Voting Status
Our membership team regularly emails about Member's Meetings and events. We want to stay in touch with you! To sign up for email newsletters, please click this link. If you haven't heard from us in a while, or would like to contact a member of our team with your questions or concerns, you can reach them below:
Anastasia Gudko
Development/Membership Manager
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The membership year runs from September 1 through August 31. Annual membership dues, currently $40, are due August 31 of each year, regardless of the date of your initial payment.
Please note, the payment of the annual dues is the responsibility of the Member. Notification that renewals are due will be done via email. Please note that Membership dues are not the same as the annual Student Registration fee.
After 10 years of active membership (and upon the 11th payment of dues) a member will be considered a Life Member of the Art Students League, entitling the member to all the privileges of membership without annual dues.
Good Standing: Members who keep current with annual dues are considered to be in Good Standing.
Lapsed: Members who do not renew by August 31 become Lapsed Members.
Dropped: Failure to renew within 12 months of becoming a Lapsed Member results in a member being Dropped.
A fundamental right of members is to decide who sits on the Board of Control through the annual election. Members also participate in key decisions by voting on important issues during regular members business meetings.
Active voting status is a Member designation for those who vote or attend Member Business Meetings on a regular basis by either returning (completed) the yearly Ballot, OR by attending one of the four (4) yearly Member Business Meetings— January, April, October, and December. Not doing one of the above will result in your status becoming inactive. To restore your active voting status you will need to request a status change from the Board of Control. However, this request must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to a vote.
Voting status is distinct from, and does not affect, Membership standing.
The Art Students League of New York is governed by the Board of Control, which is annually elected by the membership. If you are a member in good standing of the League and are interested in serving on the League’s Board of Control, please contact membership@artstudentsleague.org for the appropriate form.
When your form is received, a member of the Board of Control Search Committee will contact you to arrange for an opportunity for you to discuss your interests with a current Board member.
We thank you for your interest in serving The League through Board membership.