Becoming a Member

State of the Art Gallery (SOAG) is a not-for-profit, member-run cooperative founded in 1989. The gallery provides a downtown Ithaca exhibition space for artists working in any medium or style. The member-artists contribute their time and money to the operation of the gallery in exchange for opportunities to show their work and network with other artists. Members benefit by being part of a stable gallery with a history in the community, with continuing opportunities for interaction with other artists. The gallery is funded by membership fees, donations, and grants.

In addition to solo and group shows of the artist-member's work, the gallery hosts a regional photo show, an invitational show of regional artists, and other curated thematic shows. The gallery is also available for other events such as poetry readings, dance recitals and artist's talks as a part of our mission to support the arts community.

The gallery is looking for artists who are producing new work in any medium. We welcome all media and styles. The emphasis of the gallery is on artists who are doing personal work rather than commercial or production craft work. Although we are not a profit-oriented gallery, sales of artwork are encouraged. We are very interested in artists who are innovative in their work and dedicated to the cooperative mission.

Gallery's Obligations to All Members

• Meet each month to discuss business and make decisions
• Keep members informed by mailing minutes of the meetings
• Include members in two whole gallery group shows each year and monthly "North Gallery" shows.
• Support and encourage members to schedule solo or small group exhibits of their work every 2-3 years.
• Keep the gallery open during posted hours
• Provide publicity support for solo and group shows
• Host an opening reception for each show including a budget for refreshments
• Help promote and expand sales opportunities for the artists

Membership Categories

1. Working Member

• Members must sit at the gallery each month (average 5-7 hours, depending on # of members) to keep the gallery open. If for any reason the artist CANNOT meet this obligation during a particular month, they must arrange with other members to trade hours with them for the month before or after.
• Exhibiting artists must commit to sitting 10 - 15 hours during the month of their solo or small group show. These members are responsible for helping the publicity committee get the word out about which times the artist(s) will be available in the gallery to meet with the public. These times are in addition to the opening reception.
• Members should make every effort to attend monthly meetings. These are held on the second Monday of each month at 8 PM, at the gallery.
• Each member must serve on at least one committee.
• Members should make every effort to attend exhibit openings - usually the first Friday of each month.
• Members are expected to support the cooperative mission of the gallery.

Financial Obligations - Working Members

• $275 per year membership fee.
• $340 fee for each solo show (which may be shared with other artists) additional fees for group shows other than the two all member group shows (May and September).
• 10% commission of any sales.
• Artists pay for a postcard and mailing cost for the gallery's mailing list (200-300 names) for their solo show.

2. Non-working Member

• Members should make every effort to attend monthly meetings which are held on the second Monday of each month at 8 PM, at the gallery.
• Members should make every effort to attend exhibit openings - usually the first Friday of each month.
• Members are expected to support the cooperative mission of the gallery.
• Non-working members are NOT required to sit at the gallery or to work on committees.

Financial Obligations - Non-working Members

• $504 per year membership fee.
• ALL OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE OF WORKING MEMBERS.

3. Emerging Artist Category

• Only ONE emerging artist membership is available for each current, non-working member.
• Members must sit at the gallery each month (average 10-14 hours) to keep the gallery open. If for any reason the artist CANNOT meet this obligation during a particular month, they must arrange with other members to trade hours with them for the month before or after.
• ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE OF WORKING MEMBERS

Financial Obligations - Emerging Artist Members

• $126 per year membership fee.
• ALL OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE OF WORKING MEMBERS.

Sales
The gallery tries to encourage and facilitate sales of artwork shown in the gallery. All sales transactions are legally between the artists and buyer (the gallery attendant will collect a deposit on the work being sold). The artist is responsible for the collection of NYS sales tax Artists must have their own NYS sales tax ID#.

Community Outreach
The gallery is interested in community arts education. Artist members are encouraged to host gallery talks about their work or to give presentations in schools or other settings. The gallery hosts a series of public forums four times a year on a variety of art related topics. The gallery welcomes collaborations with dance, musical and other performers or events such as poetry readings that utilize the gallery during non-business hours.

How to Contact Us
To become a new member or for general information, contact the chairperson:

Gallery Hours:
Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 12-6
Saturday and Sunday: 12-5

The gallery is ADA accessible

Obligations of Membership

Financial Obligations

• $275 per year membership fee
• $340 fee for each solo show (which may be shared with other artists) additional fees for group shows other than two group shows
• 10% commission of any sales
• Artists pay for a card and mailing cost for the gallery's mailing list (300-500 names) for their solo show.

Participation

• Members must sit at the gallery each month (average 6-7 hours) to keep the gallery open.
• Exhibiting artists must sit on Saturdays during the month of their solo show.
• Members must attend monthly meetings which are held on the second Monday of each month at 8 PM, at the gallery
• Each member must serve on at least one committee
• Members should attend exhibit openings - usually the first Friday of each month
• Members are expected to support the cooperative mission of the gallery

Gallery Committees

• Executive: sets agendas for meetings and acts as a decision making body between meetings. The executive committee acts as the Board of Trustees and includes the Chairperson, treasurer and secretary.
• Website: interfaces with the web master and updates information, monitors the calendar and facilitates the gallery staffing, writes the gallery e-news.
• Reception: plans and staffs show receptions
• Installation: hangs group shows and assists artist with the hanging of their work
• Publicity: gets press releases and invitations out, maintains mailing list, does advertising
• Membership: orients new members

The Gallery's Obligations to Members

• Meet each month to discuss business and make decisions
• Keep members informed by mailing minutes of the meetings
• Include members in two whole gallery group shows each year and monthly back room shows.
• Keep the gallery open during posted hours
• Provide publicity support for solo and group shows
• Host an opening reception for each show including a budget for refreshments
• Help promote and expand sales opportunities for the artists