Membership of the Chelsea Arts Club is by election, so to become a Member you must first be proposed and seconded by two existing Members whom you have known for at least two years. For you to become a Candidate, you and your Proposer and Seconder need to complete and sign a Proposal Form; you can download one below, and if you read on there is guidance on how to fill it out. There is currently a waiting list for election.
The Proposal Form consists of three sections; all must be filled in before the Form can be returned.
The first section asks for your personal information and gives you space to write in detail why you would like to join. This section is very important and you should try and give as much information as possible about your work, including relevant web links. If you are not a practicing artist, a note on any connections you have with the visual arts is helpful. You may attach additional pages to the form, such as a CV. The clearer the information you provide, the greater the chance of your election.
The second and third sections are for your Proposer and Seconder to fill in.
Once the form has been received you should receive a letter from the Membership Secretary notifying you that you are now a Candidate, and providing you with a personal reference number, which corresponds to a page in a Candidates’ Book. The Candidates’ Book allows Members to show their support of an application by signing their name on a Candidate’s page.
Each month, the Membership Committee of the Council selects about a dozen Candidates whom they meet at an informal drinks party, prior to inviting them to become Members.
There are two categories of membership – Ordinary and Associate.
Ordinary Members are ‘practitioners of the plastic and graphic arts’. This was originally interpreted as meaning painters, illustrators, sculptors and architects. The definition has been widened in recent years to include photographers, film makers and designers.
Associate Membership is open to ‘men and women of the literary, musical or dramatic professions and other professional men and women interested in the arts’.
When we receive your application we will decide whether you are an Ordinary or Associate candidate based upon your primary occupation.
Each year, of the approximately 150 Members who are elected, 100 are Ordinary and 50 Associate candidates.
The Young Members’ fully discounted rate is payable up until age 28. From ages 28 to 32 inclusive the discount lessens slightly each year until on reaching age 33 the Member pays the full rate appropriate to their place of residence. The applicable age for these calculations is the Member’s age on 1st April in a given year.
If you have any questions about membership, or need any assistance in completing the proposal form, please email Membership Secretary, Rob Kennedy rob@chelseaartsclub.com
If you’re married to another Member a special ‘Spouse rate’ applies, which means that the couple’s second subscription is discounted by 50%. Do contact Rob Kennedy for more details.
Joining Fee for Members over 32 years of age: £403.
