NIADA

NIADA Standards

The National Institute of American Doll Artists was founded in 1963 with a mission to promote handmade dolls as a fine art form. By requiring the highest artistic standards, NIADA encourages gifted artists who create entirely original art dolls to strive for the finest realization of their talents. NIADA Artist Membership is awarded to selected artists through a 3-Part Application Process whereby they are screened by the NIADA Standards Committee, then elected by the NIADA Artist Members.

The Standards Committee's decisions are based on the following statement:
Whether produced as a one-of-a-kind piece or part of an edition, the ideal work reflects excellence; all work must be consistently well conceived, expertly executed without technical faults, and should show an individual identity of design. 

All those interested in applying for Artist Membership
should give serious thought to these ideals:

Excellence of Execution
The work must be well made and impeccably finished. A mastery of the medium used should be apparent. Sculpting should be flawless and proportions accurate or harmoniously fitting the concept of the piece if exaggerated. Hair should be of a material appropriate to the piece and flawlessly applied. Costuming should be well conceived and expertly sewn, using fabric appropriate to the figure's scale or its intended effect.

Consistency
A NIADA Artist must be trusted to exhibit the h
ighest quality of workmanship in every piece. Each NIADA Artist should reflect and represent the organization with the highest personal standards for their work.

Identity of Design
Every NIADA Artist should have a style of working that is utterly unique and recognizable. This is an essential element of NIADA's standards; each NIADA Artist's having a true signature style elevates the work into the realm of high art.

Standards Committee Operations
The NIADA Standards Committee consists of eight voting NIADA Artist Members, the Standards Committee Chair, and the Global Standards Assistant. At each annual NIADA conference, the committee members review all images submitted for applications for NIADA Artist Membership and award points to each applicant anonymously. Applicants receiving 30 or more points out of a possible 40 are then invited to submit a portfolio the following January. The portfolios are circulated among committee members who again award points. Applicants receiving 30 or more points for their portfolio are invited to exhibit three dolls at the following NIADA Conference for a final vote by the Artist Membership in attendance. Details of scoring and reasons for acceptance or rejection of applicants is solely the business of the Standards Committee and is revealed only at the discretion of the Standards Chair if deemed helpful to applicants.

NIADA Critiques (click here for detailed info about the Critique)
Each year at the annual conference an informal seminar is held where any interested Visiting Artist may bring one or two pieces of their work to be critiqued by NIADA artists. The critique format varies. Some years they are one-on-one conversations, and other years critiques are done by teams of two NIADA artists. Many artists find this program helpful and enjoyable, as participating NIADA artists are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Critiques are a good way for prospective applicants to further their understanding of NIADA standards and expectations.

* NIADA Artist Membership 3-Part Application Process *


NIADA Officers 2009-2011

President:
Donna May Robinson
109 Ladder Hill North.
Weston CT 06883
Phone: 203) 557 3169
Web: donnamayrobinson.com
Email: donnamaydolls
Director Emeritus:
Shelley Thornton

1600 South 22nd Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
Phone: 402 474-7948
Web: www.shelleythornton.com
Email: shelleythornton
First Vice President:
Leslie Molen

Rootie Studio
1855 South Pearl Street #5
Denver, CO 80210
Phone: (303) 996-0655
Web: www.rootie.com

Email: lesliemolen
Director at Large:
Marlaine Verhelst
Burg, Suysstraat 61
NL-5037 MC
Tilburg, The Netherlands
Phone: (011 31) 13 4670504
Web: marlaineverhelst.com
Email: marlaineverhelst
Second Vice President:
Susan Scogin

61051 W. Spring Mill Dr.
Lacombe, LA 70445
Email: susanscogin
Web: www.susanscogin.com
Ebay name: susanscogindolls
US Standards Committee Chair:
Stephanie Blythe
P.O. Box 1806
San Anselmo, CA 94979
Email: Within US and Canada
Global Standards Assistant:
Marlaine Verhelst

Email: Outside US and Canada
Secretary:
Barbi Kantor-Goldenberg   
5 Winding Wood Road N.
Rye Brook, NY 10573
Phone: (914) 939-8714
Cell: (914) 309-7474
Email: barbikantorgoldenberg
Patron Director:
Laurel Breitkopf
450 Greenbriar Lane
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Phone: (847) 945-7034
Email: LaurelBreitkopf
Treasurer:
Diana Rew
P.O. Box 15003
Lenexa, KS 66285-5003
Phone: (913) 894-2382
Fax: (913) 888-5167
Email: NIADA Treasurer

2012 Conference Chair:
Donna May Robinson

Email: Conference Chair


NIADA Artist Members
Contact page with Email links and Web Sites

If you have any questions about membership or would like more information about
specific members please email your request to NIADA. Information about NIADA Artists
dolls must be made through individual artists. NIADA does not provide advice regarding
a doll business or legal information.


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