NIADA
Standards
The National Institute of American Doll Artists
was founded in 1963 for the purpose of promoting handmade
dolls as a fine art form. By employing the highest requirements,
NIADA encourages gifted artists who create entirely original
art dolls to strive for the finest realization of their
talents. Artists' membership in NIADA is by election, and
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 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, impeccably finished. A mastery of medium used
should be apparent. Sculpting should be flawless and proportions
accurate or harmoniously fitting the concept of the piece
if exaggerated. Hair application should be of appropriate
material and flawlessly applied as well. Costuming should
be well conceived, fabric appropriate to scale of figure
and expertly sewn.
Consistency
A NIADA
artist must be trusted to exhibit the highest quality of
workmanship in every piece. A NIADA artist has the highest
personal standards for their work that reflect the organization.
Identity of Design
Every NIADA artist should have a style
that is utterly unique and recognizable. This is an essential
element in NIADA's standards; each NIADA artist's having
a true signature style elevates the work into the realm
of high art.
An artist applying for membership must attend
the NIADA conference and participate in the artists’ critique
program. Attendance/critique is required either the same
year that an artist is submitting a photo CD or the year
prior to photo CD submission. The CD must include five
images of four dolls, one image being a close-up detail
of one piece. These images are voted on every year at the
annual conference by the standards committee, which consists
of eight members. Applications are considered on the merits
of the work pictured, and in those instances where the
photographs are not of professional quality the work may
not be seen to its full advantage. A rejection should not
be interpreted as a final comment on your work, but only
as a collective comment relative to that year's specific
jurors. Many NIADA artists apply a number of times before
being accepted as artist members. An artist who passes
the initial voting must then submit a portfolio to the
committee to be voted on by the committee as well, and
any artist whose portfolio passes is then invited to bring
three pieces to the next annual conference, where the entire
artist membership votes on the applicant being accepted
into the organization.
NIADA Critiques
Each year at the
annual conference an informal seminar is held where any
interested artist may bring one or two pieces of their
work to be critiqued by NIADA artists. Many artists find
this program helpful and enjoyable, as participating NIADA
artists are willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
Any artist who plans on sending an application by May
15th 2010 must have either participated in a critique at
the 2009 conference OR must plan on attending and participating
in the critique at the 2010 conference.
Please send your
applications requests to me via e-mail. I will be happy
to answer any further questions you have regarding membership.
Lesley Keeble, NIADA Standards Chair: lgkeeble@yahoo.com |
