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WHO CAN JOIN NPS

We welcome artists and all the enthusiasts, who choose soft pastels as the main medium for their work.

NPS membership can be of two types: associate and full. Foreign citizens can only be associate members.

NPS Membership Levels

1. In our society there is a division according to the levels of membership, which are provided for full and associate members of NPS.
 

2. There are three levels of NPS membership:
- the 1st level – artist;
- the 2nd level – experienced artist;
- the 3rd level – master-pastelist;
 

2.1. The first level – ARTIST.
Any candidate who has applied for membership in NPS in accordance with the established rules can get the status of "artist".

The artists of the first level have the following opportunities:
- to take part in offline and online NPS exhibitions;
- to represent Russia in the exhibitions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) and to earn points in order to enhance personal status in international community;
- to take part in the conventions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS);
- to get information about current events on the information resources of NPS and in the electronic newsletter for NPS members;
- to take part in the educational programs of NPS;
- to take part in the meetings for NPS members (for full members).

2.2. The second level – EXPERIENCED ARTIST.
A member of NPS, who has got the initial status of "artist" and has received 7 points for participation in the  events of NPS, can get the status of "experienced artist".

Rules for awarding points:
- for participation in an annual offline or online NPS exhibition - 1 point;
- for an award-winning place and honorable mention of the judges in an annual offline or online NPS exhibition -1 point;
- no points are awarded for participation in NPS thematic online exhibitions, but the winners of such exhibitions receive 1 point each;
- no points are awarded for participation in joint exhibitions of NPS with other societies, but the winners of such exhibitions receive 1 point each;
- no points are awarded for participation in NPS exhibitions-contests, but the winners of such events receive 1 point each.

For example, if a participant of an annual offline or online exhibition receives an award-winning place, he or she receives 2 points (1+1).

The regulations of each NPS exhibition contain information about whether points are awarded for it, and what participants can receive them.

In exceptional cases, a candidate, who has applied for NPS membership, can be granted the status of "experienced artist" by the decision of a committee made of NPS management. The following criteria are taken into account:
- candidate’s participation in exhibitions and other events of NPS;
- judges' interest in candidate’s artworks and wish to see his or her new works;
- candidate’s understanding of the basic principles of composition, tone, color;
- drawing skills;
- mastery of the pastel technique;
- individual style.

The artists of the second level have the following opportunities:
- to take part in offline and online NPS exhibitions;
- to be invited for participation (by the decision of the curator of the exhibition) in NPS biennale, held for the artists with the status “master-pastelist”;
- to represent Russia in the exhibitions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) and to earn points in order to enhance personal status in international community;
- to take part in the conventions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS);
- to get information about current events on the information resources of NPS and in the electronic newsletter for NPS members;
- to take part in the educational programs of NPS;
- to take part in the meetings for NPS members (for full members).
- to be invited to participate in the work of selection board as a judge;
- to have a chance to be upgraded to the "master-pastelist" status.

2.3. The third level – MASTER-PASTELIST.
A member of NPS who has got the status of "experienced artist" can be granted the status of "master pastelist" by the decision of a committee made of NPS management. The master status is assigned by the committee based on the results of the artist's achievements and his active participation in the life of NPS.

“Master-pastelist” status can be awarded to an artist who is prominent in the art world, learns on his own and has excellent results, is an active participant in exhibitions and has well-deserved awards.

When considering a candidate, the following criteria are also taken into account:
- the availability of publications related to the pastel technique on various information resources, including NPS resources;
- teaching experience, including participation in the educational programs of NPS;
- experience in organizing or co-organizing exhibitions, contests, plein-airs or other events of NPS;
- other ways of taking part in the life of NPS.

The artists of the third level have the following opportunities:
- to take part in NPS biennale, held for the artists with the status “master-pastelist”;
- to take part in offline and online NPS exhibitions out of competition;
- to represent Russia in the exhibitions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) and to earn points in order to enhance personal status in international community;
- to take part in the conventions of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS);
- to get information about current events on the information resources of NPS and in the electronic newsletter for NPS members;
- to take part in the educational programs of NPS;
- to take part in the meetings for NPS members (for full members);
- to have a personal art gallery on the website of NPS;
- to be invited to participate in the work of selection board as a judge;
- to be invited to judge artworks, selected for participation in NPS exhibitions.
 

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