The NSA is a group of about one hundred and fourty professional artists who either live in the South West or have strong connections with the area. The membership is composed of artists working across the full range of contemporary media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, video/digital, site specific and performance. The NSA has a close working relationship with The Exchange in Penzance and Newlyn Art Gallery where it has had its home since its formation more than a century ago. It is run by a committee elected annually from the membership and has recently developed the role of Project Manager, with Arts Council England, Cornwall Council and Newlyn Gallery support. The current Chairperson is Marion Taylor.

The N.S.A. was originally founded in 1896 by a group of painters in order to organize and manage exhibitions at the then newly built Newlyn Art Gallery. The gallery was built by the benefactor John Passmore Edwards on land donated by C.N. Le Grice and given to the artists based in Newlyn who were later to become known as the Newlyn School. In the following years the N.S.A and the exhibitions at Newlyn have formed a centre of interest for the arts in the South West. The developments in art over the last century are reflected in the names of the many artists who have exhibited at the Gallery or who have been members of the NSA. A very brief list would include Stanhope Forbes, Norman Garstin, Walter Langley, Lamorna Birch, Dod Proctor, Laura Knight, Alfred Munnings, Peter Lanyon, Bernard Leach, Patrick Heron, John Wells, Whilemena Barns Graham and Terry Frost.

The artists of the NSA work in an area of the country that is rich in artistic history and has an extraordinarily active and vibrant contemporary art scene. Newlyn Art Gallery has since its inception provided a wonderful showcase for the work of the artists of the NSA. Newly extended and refurbished and with the addition of The Exchange in Penzance it continues to show work produced in the region as part of a rich mix of art from the national and international scene. The NSA committee has recently succesfully fundraised to create the post of Project Manager, which is based at Newlyn Art Gallery, two days a week.

Applications for Membership

The NSA invites applications from professional artists who live and work in the South West or who have strong connections with the area. The NSA provides opportunities for its members to exhibit in the prestigious public exhibition spaces of the newly extended Newlyn Art Gallery and the wonderful new Exchange Gallery in Penzance, which between them provide impressively large and versatile exhibition areas.

The NSA also actively promotes members work in other venues nationally and internationally. It provides support to members in their working practice at whatever stage in their careers and enables communication and exchange within a network of artists working in the South West of England. Our website at nsanewlyn.com promotes the work of members through artist’s pages, news and links. We also publish NSA Quarterly which keeps the membership informed with news of NSA and members activities, exhibitions etc.

The NSA is a lively and active organisation and members are encouraged to participate as much as possible. In particular members are expected to regularly submit work for selection to exhibitions, provide up to date images and data to the website and attend the Annual General Meeting. The annual subscription must be paid promptly, preferably by standing order. [Chasing unpaid subscriptions is an unwanted administration cost.] Successful applicants are initially elected as Associate Members. The interests of associate members are represented on the committee by the Associate Members Representative who is the first point of contact for advice and Queries for new members. The list of associate members is reviewed annually.

The cost of membership is £40 renewed annually in April. This fee includes membership of The Newlyn Art Gallery and Exchange Gallery.

The full committee meet four times a year to consider applications for membership. These meetings take place in mid March, June, September and December.

The importance of good quality images and a high standard of presentation cannot be over stated. Applicants may be asked to submit actual works to a subsequent meeting at the committee’s discretion. Every effort is made to inform applicants of the outcome as soon as possible after each meeting. The decision of the committee is final and the committee cannot enter into discussion concerning individual applications.

Applicants are asked to submit:

1 A covering letter to the committee briefly outlining your reasons for wanting to join the NSA.
2 Up to ten images/videos of recent work (in total) on CD or as emailable files. These should be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation or titled jpegs that should show title, media and dimensions. Video works should be on DVD or as a quicktime or avi file (ideally edited down as a show reel if longer than 5 mins), also stating how the video work would normally be displayed (large projection, monitor etc.).
3 A short CV (including all contact details including email and website if you have one).
4 A brief statement regarding your current work.
5 A stamped, self addressed envelope for the return of your CD/DVD etc. if sent by post.

Applications by post please marked to:

NSA Membership Application
Newlyn Art Gallery
New Road
Newlyn
Penzance
TR18 5PZ

Email Applications:

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You will be informed once the committee has met and made its decision via email or post.