Critique

All conference attendees are welcome to register for a Critique. This is a great opportunity to discuss your dollmaking goals, troubleshoot technical issues and develop your work under the guidance of NIADA Artists. You may bring a selection of dolls to be critiqued, each Critique will be conducted by two NIADA Artists. The fee for each Critique is $55. You are welcome to suggest a NIADA Artist you would like to critique your work, and we will do our best to meet your request. If we cannot, we will assign you a NIADA Artist most relevant to your dollmaking aspirations.

If you are in the process of applying for NIADA Artist membership you must participate in an Artist Critique as a component of your application process. This Critique is an opportunity to discuss what is required to become an Artist Member.

Register for a Critique at the top of this page.

Critique Exhibition

All participants registered for a Critique are invited to exhibit their dolls at the Critique Exhibition, which will be open to conference attendees for viewing. If you have any questions, please contact the Critique Registrar Nadia Yukanova critique@niada.org

2026 Doll Challenge

If you will be attending the NIADA conference this August, we invite you to take part in our annual Doll Challenge to create:

‘Chairish is the Word’
A CHAIR WITH HUMAN COMPONENTS Arms, legs, head, and face.

A challenge doll is an artistic exploration of how each individual interprets and represents the chosen theme, which may be well-defined or merely a phrase. By participating in the 2026 Doll Challenge, you will have the opportunity to share your interpretation of this year’s theme, Chairish is the Word, and a great way to be involved in the Conference. Each participant should create their work honoring the dollmaking tradition and submit it for exhibition at the Conference. Submitted dolls should be all original designs and completely fabricated by the artist using any material.

All Challenge Dolls will be exhibited at the conference. Dolls can be created in any medium and must be no larger than 24″ tall. This is open to all attendees. For information, contact the Challenge Doll Coordinator Cindee Moyer

The 10 x 12 Program

The 10 X 12 program is a slideshow featuring ten dolls from up to twelve participants, including visiting artists, NIADA Associates, or NIADA Patrons. The first twelve to submit images of their work will have the opportunity to introduce their dolls to all NIADA Conference attendees. In this special program, each artist presents a slideshow of ten images of his or her work, which will be highlighted in a special program at our annual conference. All registered to attend the conference are welcome to submit images; you can indicate your interest when you register for the Conference.

To register your interest, contact Cindee Moyer

Helpers

NIADA Helpers (not to be confused with Volunteers) are donated dolls and doll-related items created by NIADA Artists or donated by NIADA members, which will be raffled to the registrants. There will be time to peruse the items and purchase tickets during the course of each day. Occasionally, new items arrive after the Helper Room has started displaying, so be sure to check back often. The Helper winners will be drawn at the Saturday night banquet.

Flea Market

The “Flea Market” is open to all conference attendees to purchase all sorts of items often at Bargain prices. You will find fabrics, trims, buttons, and unusual, hand-crafted items that will delight and get those creative juices flowing! Conference attendees can also register to sell items at the flea market, but please note the only Dolls to be on sale at the conference are by NIADA Artists. You may sell items such as fabrics, trims, notions, doll-making accessories, buttons, beads hand-crafted items, and wearable art (pins, necklaces, etc.). If you are interested in participating as a Flea Market vendor, you will need to register no later than DATE TBA.

To register your interest, contact Flea Market Coordinator Karin Anderson

Scholarships

NIADA offers two scholarships to visiting Artists to help them to attend the NIADA conference. The Helen Bullard Scholarship recipient is awarded a free Conference registration. The Susanna Oroyan Memorial Scholarship helps to cover extra expenses and/or pay for a Dollmaking Class of the recipient’s choice.
Apply for a NIADA Scholarship.