Applications for Membership 2024

Thank you for expressing interest in joining the Leicester Society of Artists.  

 

Founded in 1881, LSA has a membership today of around 160 professional visual artists. The Society prides itself on being welcoming and inclusive. Our exhibitions are a testament to the excellence and diversity of the membership, showcasing a broad range of styles and approaches, with the use of innovative and traditional techniques and materials, and a wide variety of art forms, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, and digital media. 

​

This page contains information about the process of election to membership.  If elected, you will be invited to become a member and able to enjoy opportunities for group exhibitions and involvement in LSA activities. Your artist profile and work will be publicised, for example, through the Society’s website.  

​

Before you apply please be aware of and understand the following:

​

Being a member of the LSA is a long-term commitment::

• The LSA is an artist cooperative.  We rely on the help and input from our membership to move forward.  Members are expected to be actively involved in the Society by regularly exhibiting work in LSA exhibitions, helping at the exhibition hang and de-rig, attending AGMs, Private Views, and social events.  

• It is free to apply for membership.

• If elected, a one-off administration fee of £15 is payable (this is in addition to the annual subscription fee)

• The annual subscription fee is anticipated to rise in 2024 to £45.  Subscriptions must be paid in September of each year. If you do not pay your subscription fee, your membership risks being revoked.

• Members should aim to participate in all LSA exhibitions, particularly the Annual Exhibition.

​

​

Application Guidelines

​

1. Four artworks completed within the past three years are required.   

2. We accept most media, including paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, all types of printmaking, sculpture, glass, ceramics and textiles. (We regret that we are usually unable to include works that require an electricity supply in our exhibitions.)

3. These FOUR works must be of equally high standard.  

4. Reproductions may not be substituted for original works.

5. Although it is not a requirement, you have the option to submit photographs of sketchbooks and up to four preparatory works as evidence of your research and development of subject.

6. You may submit a short CV and/or artist's statement (optional).

Round One

​

1. In the first round you must create an application portfolio document and submit this on-line.  You may use any suitable programme, or app, you are familiar with (e.g. Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, Keynote).  Before uploading, you are required to save the document as a PDF file. We ask you to name this document using the following format: last name-first name.

2. ​Submit one image per page. Make the images nice and big so our judges can see clearly. You may submit more than one photograph of each entry. (Consider including different vantage points, especially beneficial to view 3D works, and fine detail).  

3. Add a short caption under each image clearly identifying the four works which are to be considered  (e.g., title/entry 1) .  

4. When ready to start the application process, click the button found at the bottom of this page.   You will register your information and receive a password and instructions to complete the submission.
    

The shortlist of candidates for membership will be pre-selected by a panel of LSA Council Members.

Applicants will be notified of the shortlist by 18:00 on Monday, 9th September  Please check your spam folder if you have not received an email notification by the end of the day on this date.  If you are not shortlisted your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

​

Shortlisted Candidates 

 

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver their four artworks for the final round of selection to be held on Saturday, 28th September at Beaumont House, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicester, 
LE2 2NA.  

 

At this stage, artworks must be well-presented and prepared to exhibition standards (e.g., professionally framed).

​

09:30-10:00 hrs
Bring your work to Beaumont House. We will ask you to unwrap it and leave it with us so that LSA Council can view it. 

12:00 noon  Return to collect your work.

 

If you are unavailable to do so, you may arrange for a representative to submit work on your behalf. However, you must notify us of the name and contact details for your representative.

 

What to bring

You are required to submit the  FOUR original artworks for consideration.  

  

Reproductions of original works will not be considered.

 

You may also submit the following in support of your application:

• a sketchbook 

• up to four preliminary studies

• an artist statement if not already submitted

 

Your work and all items submitted must be clearly labelled with your name, title of work and medium.
 

​

Assessment

 

Applicants require a majority vote from the Panel of LSA Council members to be elected for membership.  

 

A reason for rejection would be failure to satisfy one or more of the following criteria (phrased as a list of requirements):

 

A - cohesive body of work, with all pieces executed to an equally high standard

B - effective use of medium/materials demonstrating a suitable level of skill and competence

C - work demonstrates an expression of the artist's individuality - through originality, imagination, innovation or emotional involvement with the subject

d - work is presented to a professional standard - is well framed/exhibition ready

 

Arrival and parking

 

How to get to Beaumont House. 

 

There is free parking available at Beaumont House or on street at Glebe Road.

If your work is very heavy you may drop it off at the main door before/instead of parking.  Please let us know if you have any mobility issues or think you will need any particular help.  

 

Refreshments are not available on site.  

 

The nearest public toilets can be found in the Botanic Gardens.

 

 

Results

 

Results will be sent to you via email on 28th September by 19:00.

 

​

Unsuccessful Candidates

 

• Feedback can be provided to those who are unsuccessful.

• All decisions are final.

• We will keep you informed of exhibitions and events and will welcome you to apply again in the future;

• There is no limit to the number of applications you are able to make.  

• The standard of entry is very high and many valued Members were not elected on their first attempt.  

 

​

Successful Applicants

 

Newly elected members will receive an email from the LSA Secretary inviting them to join the Society and requesting a payment of £60 (covering the annual subscription and one-time enrolment fee).  Once payment is received a Membership pack will be issued.

 

​

​

Application Schedule

 

Saturday, 31st August 2024 23:59 hrs  | Application Deadline

Monday, 9th September | Applicants will be notified as to whether they have been shortlisted (on or before this date)

Saturday, 28th September | Election Day

9:30 am Shortlisted applicants deliver work to Beaumont House, 

12:00 noon   Applicants to collect work.

​

​

Start Application Process

​

Fill out the online registration form and receive an email with instructions to submit a digital application portfolio for Round One.

​