ELECTED STATUS

FCA Membership

Elected Status

Associate and Signature Status with the FCA stand for a high level of excellence achieved by the individual artist. The core difference between these two levels is, while an Associate member has achieved an extremely high degree of technical skill, an SFCA is seen to have also found their own artistic voice.

Jurying for both Associate and Signature Membership are done by the Selection Committee, which consists of between 20 and 30 Signature members. This is a jury by peers; by members who themselves have decades of experience as professional artists.

While acceptance into exhibitions is part of the process of becoming an Associate or Signature member with the Federation, having been accepted into exhibitions is not sufficient to be awarded Associate or Signature status. To be accepted into exhibitions an artist must paint at a quality level of an Exhibiting member. The level of quality expected from Associate and Signature members is considerably higher.

Intake for jury is once per year, happening in the fall. We will accept no more than 60 applicants for every intake. Make sure to apply early to avoid disappointment and delay.

Important Dates

2026 Selection Committee Schedule

  1. August 15, 2026 Autumn intake application deadline
  2. Aug 22 – Sept 5 Application pre-screening
  3. September 12 Pre-screening results issued by this date at the latest
  4. October 1 – 15 Delivery window for artwork from successful pre-screened applicants
  5. October 18 Selection Committee Meeting (BoG) – Jurying
  6. October 19 Acceptance & decline notifications sent to applicants
  7. October 20 First day of exhibition — Success!
  8. October 29 Return shipping begins. Unsuccessful applicants may pick up work.
  9. November 1 Final day of exhibition
  10. November 5 Exhibition artwork available for pick-up and return shipping

Please plan ahead and apply early!

Before You Apply

Resources & Contact

See the Standard

Successful Applicants

Before you apply, review these videos of past years' successful applicants. They're a good indication of where your work should be before you consider applying.