International Art Materials Trade Association

International Art Materials
Trade Association
Founded 1950
11-6015643
Focus fine and creative art materials
Location
Area served
 global
Products conferences and trade shows;
Essential Reference Guide;
Art Materials Professional Certificate Program
Services support, training, and marketing resources
Method international conventions and trade shows; professional development and employee training resources
Members
 1,200 (approximately)
Key people
 Richard Goodban, President
Reggie Hall, Executive Director
Revenue
 $915,415 (As of 2011)
Employees
 five
Volunteers
 12
Mission "NAMTA's mission is to provide its art/creative materials industry members with the products, services and information needed to grow and prosper."[1]
Website namta.org
Formerly called
 National Art Materials Trade Association

The International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA), also known as the National Art Materials Trade Association is an international nonprofit corporation based out of Cornelius, North Carolina. It is the largest organization in the world that works exclusively on behalf of the fine art and creative art materials industry. The association works collaboratively to provide executive, management, sales, marketing, and merchandising support; staff training and certification at all levels of employment, and public relations and marketing resources for industry professionals. The association includes retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and importers located in 39 countries around the world.

Corporate history

The National Art Materials Trade Association was established on January 4, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois.[2][3] Edward Ellison, editor of the Art Material Trade News, saw the need for a unified art materials industry and incorporated NAMTA as a nonprofit trade association, scheduling its first meeting of the board of directors the next month. During governance discussions, Frank Peters of Favor, Ruhl & Co. was elected the first president and Ellison was elected secretary/treasurer. There were 17 members when the organization started.[4] In addition to Ellison and Peters, founding members include Henry Levinson, founder of Liquitex.[5]

The goal of the founders was to create an official trade association that would work together with organizations and individuals to identify areas for business development and improvement, ensuring the perpetual existence of the industry, while working jointly to achieve and maintain a high level of professionalism and profitability.[2]

As of 2012, NAMTA represents members in the art and creative material industry in 39 countries around the world.[6][7] In 2011, the Board of Directors changed the name of the organization from the National Art Materials Trade Association, to the International Art Materials Trade Association, in order to better reflect the scope of its membership. The association chose to retain the use of NAMTA as its official acronym.[1]

Products and services

The association provides a variety of products and services, including access to conferences and trade shows, along with a certification program. The association conducts research and studies about the industry, and new and emerging products. NAMTA's industry newsletter provides innovative ideas for increasing profitability, while cutting waste. Additional topics include training support and professional development; legislative advocacy and regulatory mandates; information on sales and marketing trends; and news about the art materials industry on a global scale.

Resource library

NAMTA provides an online resource library for its members, which includes documents and presentations on legislative issues related to the arts, product safety, and consumer testing; developing and presenting innovative merchandising ideas; research and strategic development; and public relations and business marketing.[8]

Professional certification

The association offers comprehensive classes and professional certification in product knowledge and materials used in areas pertaining to art and artist materials. Resources available through the association include a proprietary training manual, with several modules that focus on different aspects and mediums used within the industry. The information provided in each chapter is followed by practical and technical questions that verify the comprehension level of the material. When the industry professional is confident in the knowledge gained from successfully completing the training manual, the association offers additionally testing, in order to ascertain knowledge from an international perspective. Successful completion of the international test will result in certification as an art materials professional in the specific area of study.

The Essential Reference Guide (ERG) is a 12–module training manual written by Zora Sweet Pinney and Claudia Myers of Spokane Art Supply, who served as NAMTA's first female president in 1999.[9][10][11] Various modules in the ERG include Papers and Boards, Drawing for Reproduction, Brushes, and Picture Framing. Employees of NAMTA member organizations can become Certified Art Materials Professionals (CAMP) by answering 100 questions, based on information from the Essential Reference Guide.[9][11] The CAMP Certification is presented upon completion of several detailed tests, which serve to distinguish individuals with superior knowledge and experience with fine art products, along with accurate application of artist tools, encompassing the scope of the fine art materials industry.

Industry conferences and trade shows

Since its inception, the association has presented an annual convention, which is an international gathering of retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers. The event provides members and associates the opportunity to access new and emerging art products, professional development training, and marketing tools and techniques. The conference also invites speakers and workshop leaders from around the world, along with approximately 100 exhibitors each year. During the convention, the association presents the Art Business Innovation Awards, which recognizes the achievements of retailers and suppliers, publishers, and manufacturers of art materials throughout the world. Recognition additionally includes the NAMTA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Since 2010, the convention is known as the Art Materials World trade show.[12]

Philanthropy

The Council for Art Advocacy, formerly known as the NAMTA Foundation,[13] is the philanthropic arm of the association. The council provides financial assistance through grants and scholarships for students pursuing an education and career in the visual arts. The overall goal of the council is to strengthen, support, and sustain the industry through advocacy, awareness, and financial support of art and art education. Advocacy grants are awarded to assist organizations develop art classes and programs. Grants additionally support the visual and creative arts by assisting the groups that work together to develop and promote these programs.[14] The scholarship program provides financial support for employees and family members pursuing an education in the arts, including fine art and performance.[15]

Published works

Books
Journals

References

  1. 1 2 "Strategic Plan" (PDF). Namta.org. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  2. 1 2 "About Artograph, Artograph Light Boxes, Art Projectors - Artograph, Inc". Artograph.com. 1950-01-04. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  3. ↑ Michigan Legislature House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives, Volume 3, Morse & Bagg, page 2221, 1984.
  4. ↑ "Creative Leisure News (2/15/10)". Clnonline.com. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  5. ↑ "About Us". Liquitex. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  6. ↑ "Association Members, Artograph Light Boxes, Art Projectors - Artograph, Inc". Artograph.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  7. ↑ "The magazine for the Art Supply Industry". Art Materials Retailer. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  8. ↑ "Resource Library - International Art Materials Association". Namta.org. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  9. 1 2 "The magazine for the Art Supply Industry". Art Materials Retailer. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  10. ↑ "Creative Leisure News - Scene & Heard". Clnonline.com. 2005-05-02. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  11. 1 2 "March 14, 2012 - International Art Materials Association". Namta.org. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  12. ↑ "Art Materials World - International Art Materials Association". Namta.org. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  13. ↑ "June 13, 2012 - International Art Materials Association". Namta.org. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  14. ↑ "NAMTA Foundation Visual Arts Major Scholarship; Sponsor: National Art Materials Trade Association". Collegesintheusa.com. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  15. ↑ National Art Materials Trade Association (2010-02-24). "International Scholarships Search - National Art Materials Trade Association Scholarship". Internationalscholarships.com. Retrieved 2012-08-31.

External links

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