Credentials:101

Credentials: 101

This is an informal guide designed to aid any member daunted by "CREDENTIALS".

First let's identify why this program exists, and then discuss why it will help YOU.

In any professional field, designations offer an outsider a glimpse into the depth of knowledge or expertise someone has accomplished. From Boy/Girl Scouts and their Merit Badges to doctors and their PHD's, you can recognize the extra mile someone has gone in their field.

Artists can build their resumes and their confidence by entering and being accepted into juried shows. AAC (as well as many other arts organizations/societies) offer a series of levels to denote these outstanding achievements.

AAC designation levels are as follows: Juried Member, Merit Member, Advanced Merit Member and Member of Excellence.

To achieve these significant designations, each artist must be accepted into JURIED shows. Many artists grow their reputation and resumes by actively entering qualified exhibits.

What makes a show worthy of qualification by AAC standards?

Show is already approved by AAC Board (see attached list) --OUTSIDE SHOWS
*AAC show (see detailed breakdown)
By submitting specific show specs to AAC Board for approval AND having said show authorized and approved (added to approved list for future requests).

Each artist member must keep track of his/her own show acceptance records. DON'T ASSUME SOMEONE WILL DO THIS FOR YOU (even if this has been done by a Credentials Committee Member in the past.)

Scene One: You enter and are accepted into an AAC show. CONGRATULATIONS ! You check to see if THIS show qualifies. Is it… a. Dogwood Show? b. December Show? c. Traveling Show? d. A show clearly marked as a SPECIAL JURIED SHOW or OUTSIDE SHOW? e. Did you receive an AWARD?

If it qualifies, keep a copy of show acceptance sheet for your records.

Scene Two: You enter and are accepted into an approved show (other than an AAC show.) CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN! Start your record keeping. You will need to present proof of acceptance the next time you submit for credential recognition. Proof can be a show brochure or acceptance letter.

Scene Three: You enter and are accepted into an outside show, but you don't see it on our list. CONGRATULATIONS (Whether show counts or not, YEAH for you!) OK, but you want it to COUNT! You must submit information about this show to AAC Board, and if it fits criteria, they will allow it for your credit.

You are now building up your records, and you want to know if you have met a credential level.

Check your handbook for rules and regulations. You will find a guide to each level.

Examples:

For Juried Member Status… 4 Total Credits 2 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows (Dogwood, December, Traveling Show or other clearly marked JURIED CREDIT qualified) 2 from other AAC Approved Shows (See approved list, or bring proof of your NEWLY ACCEPTED SHOW) 10 hours recorded AAC Volunteer hours (NEW)

For Merit Member Status… 10 Total Credits Not more than 5 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows (Dogwood, December, Traveling Show or other clearly marked JURIED CREDIT qualified) 2 Awards, only 1 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows, and 1 from AAC Outside Approved Show 10 hours recorded AAC Volunteer hours (NEW)

For Advanced Merit Member Status… 20 Total Credits Not more than 10 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows 4 State AAC Approved Shows 4 Awards, only 2 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows and 2 from AAC Outside Approved Shows. 10 hours recorded AAC Volunteer hours (NEW)

For Member of Excellence Status… 30 Total Credits Not more than 15 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows (Dogwood, December, Traveling Show or other clearly marked JURIED CREDIT qualified) 4 State, Regional or National AAC Approved Shows 4 Awards, only 2 from AAC Sponsored Gallery Shows, and 2 from Regional or National AAC Outside Approved Show 10 hours recorded AAC Volunteer hours (NEW)

Clarifications:

Juried Credits are awarded by Division. Multi-discipline artists should be aware that MEDIA matters. Our Divisions: · Division I: Painting · Division II: Sculpture and Crafts · Division III: Photography and Computer Generated work.

Example: If you have a photograph accepted into the Dogwood Show, but everything else you are submitting, as qualified credits are paintings, then you may not have reached your next credential level.

Award Credits: Earning an award in an approved show, opens up credentialing possibilities. Any month you are accepted into an AAC show and you receive Honorable Mention or above, means that THAT SHOW WILL COUNT FOR CREDIT for you. How will you use that credit? Award credit (cont.) Remember this is cumulative. You will want to count the award for it's highest and best use. Honorable Mention will give you JURIED CREDIT for show. First, Second or Third Place will have higher value as AWARD CREDIT (see your level chart).

Special Notes: Time is a factor! No credit will be awarded for shows prior to your AAC Membership. No credit will be issued 5 years after show date. Submit promptly.

Additional Materials: · Current AAC Approved Shows List · AAC Show "Quick Guide" · AAC Handbook · Request For Juried Credit or Award Credit Form (REQUIRED) · Request for Show Approval By The AAC Board form (REQUIRED) · Sample Credential Credit Submission Form

Submit information to Grandview Attn: Credentials. Only submit complete forms.

*Disclaimer: PLEASE NOTE THAT CURRENT HANDBOOK/ BYLAWS ARE SOURCE OF THIS MATERIAL. If any of the above statements are inadvertently mistyped, or wrong, be aware CURRENT BYLAWS supersede this document.

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