Bylaws

Effective 11/2/21

1. Purpose of the Abstract Art Collective
(a.) To provide exhibition and educational opportunities for abstract artists.
(b.) To provide a forum for artistic interaction between members and with the community.
(c.) To share skills required to exhibit art and to provide guidelines for professional presentation. (d.) To produce a newsletter with information concerning AAC news, exhibits, workshops, member exhibitions, calls for entry and other art-related topics.

2. What does the AAC consider to be abstract art?
The Abstract Art Collective (AAC) supports a broad definition of abstract art which ranges from non-objective to conceptual, where the degree of abstraction can vary. Abstract art uses a visual language of shape, form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the
world. This departure from accurate representation can be slight, partial, or complete.
Our guidelines for accepting work into exhibitions allow for submissions that range from non-objective, fully abstract work to that in which some images, objects or text are recognizable. Since the line between representational and abstract can be fuzzy, we may not include work in a show based on it being not abstract enough. We also allow our jurors to make such decisions autonomously while selecting work for an exhibit. This definition and process also applies to applicants who want to join the Abstract Art Collective.

Accepted media: paintings, drawings, hand-pulled prints, archival quality prints of work created digitally (no giclee copies of original artwork), photography, collage, fiber art, assemblage, sculpture (the AAC has limited venues that support 3D work or for wall sculpture that protrudes further than 3.5 inches from the wall.)

3. Structure and form of the organization
The Abstract Art Collective held its inaugural meeting on Dec 4, 2011, in Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California. The founders were Thore Edgren and J. T. Turner. It was formed as an Association with the following principles: (a.) It is designed to be of benefit to its members.
(b.) Positions in the organization are held on a volunteer, non-paid basis. The AAC may also hire paid contractors, who are not members of the AAC, to provide services such as being a consultant in areas like PR, or Social Media work.
(c.) Leadership of the AAC shall be conducted by a Board of Directors which consists of a Chair or Co-Chairs, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, as well as at-large Board members. These positions will be for one-year terms; office- holders and at-large Board members may continue in their positions if they so choose and are re-nominated and confirmed by the members of the Board. New Board members must be nominated by an existing Board member and confirmed by the Board of Directors.
(d.) Board members are exempt, by virtue of their service, from paying dues each year they are serving in this capacity. Additionally, the Board may decide on a case by case basis to grant exemption to a member. Also granted exemptions (and who are deemed lifetime members) are the founders of the organization, Thore Edgren and J. T. Turner.
(e.) Board meetings
        1. The Board meets every quarter; or as necessary.
        2. The minutes of Board meetings will be made available to members of the Board.
(f.) AAC members will conduct themselves in a respectful and civil manner. Contravention of this standard may result in the Board taking action to remove an individual as a member of the AAC.

4. Functions of the Board
(a.) Oversees the fiscal health of the AAC.
(b.) Reviews and codifies any major policy changes and changes to the Bylaws. (c.) Ensures the purposes of the AAC are clear and being upheld.
(d.) Oversees the yearly nomination and election of all Board positions. (e.) Engages in strategic planning and development for the AAC.
(f.) Supports the Chair or Chairs and is a resource to be consulted when needed.

5. Functions of member volunteers
(a.) Organize online show coordination.
(b.) Create labels and spreadsheet lists of art for venue sites. (c.) Coordinate and oversee venue-sitting when applicable.
(d.) Coordinate the schedule, as well as communicating with and assisting jurors. (e.) Hang exhibits, help at in-gatherings, take-downs and receptions.
(f.) Organize membership meetings and/or workshops.
(g.) Maintain AAC membership rosters and exhibition guest lists.
(h.) Press relations (PR), and coordination of the AAC Facebook page and web site. (i.) Create exhibition postcards and signage.
(j.) Create the monthly newsletter.

6. Bylaws
Changes to the AAC Bylaws must be authorized by the AAC Board of Directors.

7. Finances
Money obtained by the AAC will be kept in a bank account maintained and overseen by the Treasurer and Board of the Abstract Art Collective.

8. Rules of membership
(a.) Dues: Membership dues are payable to the Abstract Art Collective on an annual basis. Members must be current with their dues to exhibit.
(b.) Email: Applicants to the AAC are required to have an email address for the purpose of receiving notices regarding exhibitions and meetings.
(c.) AAC Property: ALL materials produced by and for the AAC are the AAC's property and must be relinquished upon any members' exit from the organization.
(d.) AAC Membership Application Process: The AAC uses a live jury-day system where applicants bring in artwork to be juried by a panel of jurors appointed by the Coordinator of the Jury Process. These jurors may be chosen from the current membership or qualified outside parties. An online jury process may also be used, if this function is available.
(e.) In addition to the
        1. Regular Membership, there are also categories of:
        2. Patron Membership. A Patron Member does not exhibit art at AAC venues, and is not juried in, but is voted in by the Board of Directors. A Patron Member is expected to contribute in a meaningful way to the Abstract Art Collective. Patron Members pay the same dues as a regular member.
        3. Student Membership. A Student Member must be a full time college or post-graduate
student, provide proof of this, and be approved by the Board of Directors. Student Members pay a reduced annual fee.
(f.) Non-members of the AAC are allowed to enter certain shows based on prior Board approval.

9. Renewal of membership
(a.) Membership renewals are due annually, at the start of the calendar year on January 1 and members will receive renewal notifications by email. The deadline to pay is March 1. If dues are not received by March 1, the membership will be dropped. If a member chooses to reinstate their membership after this time, they will have to go through the jury process again the next time the jury process is offered.
(b.) Payment will be made to the Abstract Art Collective for AAC membership.
(c.) Only members who have paid their dues for the current year may submit work for a show.
(d.) A member may put their membership on hold for a one-time one year leave of absence by notifying a Board member who will notify the Membership Coordinator, or by notifying the Membership Coordinator directly, as long as they make this known at the beginning of the year when notifications for renewal are sent out.
(e.) Because we are a member-run organization, we may call upon members to volunteer in some capacity (in the area that is indicated on the member renewal form.)

10. Submission procedures for online shows or physical venues
(a.) Some procedures vary by venue and will be specified for each exhibit by email notification. (b.) Entry fees are on a per-piece basis and may change per venue as venue costs vary.
(c.) Diptychs/Triptychs: The multiple panels will be entered as a single piece with a, b, or c after the assigned Identification (ID) number to ensure they are juried and hung together. The artist will pay a single entry fee, but the diptych or triptych must be priced as one piece. Each piece should be labeled on the back with a, b and c and include specific hanging instructions. Otherwise, enter the pieces individually and they will be juried, hung (not necessarily together) and priced as separate pieces.
(d.) Acceptable Presentation: Even if a juror accepts your work through the online submission process, all work is expected to be presented according to our guidelines. If you are bringing the accepted work to the venue, it must pass through a “show-ready” checkpoint table. If your work does not adhere to the AAC presentation rules you will not be allowed to submit it for entry. Final curatorial decisions by the juror will also be made at this time.
(e.) Images for online submissions must adhere to the entry guidelines regarding size and resolution of image.

11. Presentation guidelines for exhibiting with the AAC
(a.) Presentation Rules
        1. Artwork must have a twisted strand hanging wire (coated or uncoated). No sawtooth brackets.
        2. Frames and artwork must be clean and dust-free; glass must be clean.
        3. Original artwork only - no copies or giclees of original paintings.
        4. Digital art, prints or photographs should be signed, numbered editions.
        5. No unframed lightweight canvases with or without staples showing on the edges (these are called studio canvases). Unframed canvases must be gallery-wrapped (no staples) and be at least 1- 3/8 inches in depth.
        6. Wood panels do not have the same depth restrictions as canvases. Please contact an AAC Chair person, or an AAC authorized individual, if you have any questions regarding your panel or presentation.
        7. No warped or damaged canvases or frames (unless it is an integral part of the artwork)
        8. No wet/tacky paint or varnish
        9. Intentional deviations that are integral to the nature of the artwork may be exceptions to these rules and will be treated on a case-by-case basis. We realize that some contemporary art has unusual or non-standard presentations. We reserve the right to accept or reject any piece at an ingathering. Please contact an AAC Chair person, or an AAC authorized individual, if you have a unique presentation that you would like to discuss before submission at an ingathering.
(b.) Members may exhibit the same artwork in up to two AAC shows provided the shows are not consecutive. 1-3 day events do not count as a consecutive show.

12. Art sales at AAC exhibits and through the AAC website
(a.) 10% of the sales price of artwork sold at an AAC show shall be donated by the artist to the AAC provided the venue’s commission is 20% or less.
(b.) Work sold directly by the artist during the 6 months after being first viewed by the customer at an AAC exhibit is subject to the same 10% donation policy, unless the work is sold from a subsequent venue that is being paid a commission.
(c.) Work sold directly by the artist after the work was discovered by the buyer on the AAC website is subject to the same 10% donation policy.
(d.) The 10% donations to the AAC from sales related to the website or after an AAC exhibit are on the honor system and based solely on the artist’s knowledge of how the transaction occurred.
(e.) All artwork sold at AAC exhibitions will stay on the wall until the end of the exhibit unless permission is granted by an AAC Chair person, or an AAC authorized individual, to remove it earlier. This would be in the case of an out- of-town buyer who is leaving town, or other special circumstances.

13. Liability
The Abstract Art Collective may take out liability insurance for a show, or to cover the reception for a show, depending on circumstances. This type of insurance does not cover theft or damage to artwork. Artists submitting artwork for exhibition sign a release or waiver concerning the potential theft, loss or damage to their works of art during the show.