Do you want to join the River Arts District Artists?
If you rent and maintain a studio in Asheville's River Arts District, you may join the River Arts District Artists and participate in the Studio Strolls twice a year in June and November. Current buildings identified as part of the River Arts District are Cotton Mill Studios, Curve Studios, Odyssey Center, 240 Clingman Ave., Phil Mechanic Studios, Pink Dog Creative, Roots Studios, Riverside Studios, Hatchery Studios, Galaxy Studios, The Wedge, Riverview Station, Roberts Street Studios, Warehouse Studios, Northlight Studios, David Stewart Studio and Studio 375 Depot.
Looking for Studio Space? Click here for a list of building owners and contact info.
All memberships are processed online.
Questions? Contact Membership: radmember@gmail.com
Benefits of RADA Artist membership include:
• RADA website listing with two photos of your work, one photo of you or your studio, a brief artist statement/story or bio, your contact information and studio hours, and a link to your website (any time you join)
• Your listing in the annual RADA Studio Guide (if joining by December 15). A photo of your work can appear in the Studio Guide for an extra fee of $85.00
• Participation in our Studio Strolls and special events
• Attend Chamber of Commerce-sponsored educational seminars and events
• The privilege to use the RADA logo and other associated material in your studio and at your events
• A vote in determining the RADA activities at the group meetings
• Opportunities to participate in co-op advertising (extra fees may be required)
• Opportunities to participate in members’ shows, to buy advertising in our annual Studio Guide and to collaborate with other artists
• Invitations to meetings, events, receptions and parties, and awareness of new opportunities via the website and email news
• Increased visitor traffic and attention for your art due to the variety of publicity and media exposure of the River Arts District, its members and events
• A home in a community of active, diverse, energetic, and talented artists
• RADA is a member of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Many Chamber benefits are available to RDA members.
Associate Members:
Associate membership in the RADA is open to businesses and not-for-profit organizations located within the River Arts District. Associate members may participate in RADA-sponsored events, may be recognized in the brochure, web site, and other promotional material, but do not have voting privileges. The only exception is for an Associate Member who may be elected to a position as an Officer.
River Arts District Artists General Operating Procedures
DUES AND BENEFITS:
COMMITTEES:
The Membership Chairperson shall furnish prospective members with the application form, accept submitted application for membership, and notify the applicant of acceptance. The Membership Chair shall provide new members with a current copy of the By-Laws and shall be responsible for any other materials pertinent to their membership.
The Stroll Committee Chairperson shall coordinate all aspects of the Studio Strolls, to include arrangements for sign creation, placement, and removal, placing and manning the information tent, street closures, food vendors, and all other functions not covered by another Chair.
The Brochure Chairperson shall coordinate the creation and printing of the RDA brochure. This includes gathering information and images from artists, layout and design of the brochure, supervising a graphic designer's work, and printing of the brochures.
The Public Relations Chairperson shall coordinate and distribute all publicity relating to RDA activities to the media.
The Advertising Chairperson shall be responsible for creating postcards, advertisements, and flyers (except the brochure).
The Web Site Chairperson shall maintain the RDA's domain name, web site, and host placement. The site will be regularly updated with current information.
The Distribution Chairperson shall ensure that brochures, postcards, and other materials are distributed to appropriate venues in a timely manner, and shall ensure that venues are kept stocked with these items as needed.
ACTIVITIES:
A web site www.riverartsdistrict.com publicizes individual members and reports on upcoming events, items for sale, available working space and other RADA business.
There are currently two Studio Stroll Events during the year, during which members are encouraged to open their studios to the public, and to display and sell their works.
BOUNDARIES OF THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT:
The River Arts Districted is bounded to the North by I-240, to the East by Roberts Street, Clingman Ave. and Clingman Ave Extension, Lyman, Depot and Ralph Streets, to the South by the Glen Rock Depot (southeastern corner) down to Paneling World on Lyman Street (Southwest Corner) & to the West by the French Broad River.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Minutes, notices of meetings, and other RDA business shall be published to the membership via email and the web site as appropriate.
River District Artists By-Laws
ARTICLE I – NAME
River Arts District Artists (RADA)
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES AND MEANS
The River Arts District Artists (RADA) is a community of artists in the French Broad River Arts District committed to creating art, supporting artists, producing successful art events and providing a common voice for artists in the River Arts District.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Regular membership in the RADA is open to all artists and craftspersons whose working studios or places of business lie within the River Arts District. Benefits of regular membership include, but are not limited to, listing in the brochure and web site, participation in RADA-sponsored events such as the Studio Strolls and exhibits, and voting privileges.
Associate membership in the RADA is open to businesses and not-for-profit organizations located within the River Arts District. Associate members may participate in RADA-sponsored events, may be recognized in the brochure, web site, and other promotional material, but do not have voting privileges. The only exception is for an Associate Member who may be elected to a position as an Officer.
Participation as a Regular or Associate member shall be without regard to age, sex, race, religion, creed or sexual orientation.
Regular and Associate members are considered Active during the period for which their dues and fees are paid.
The boundaries of the River Arts District (for RADA purposes) shall be determined by the general membership.
Friends of the RADA is open to individuals, businesses or organizations who wish to support RADA. They are not restricted to the boundaries of the River Arts District.
ARTICLE IV – DUES
RADA will charge dues for annual membership. Approval of 2/3 of the membership is required to change the dues amount. Adequate notice must be given of proposals to change dues.
Membership fees are due and payable by October 15th for the following calendar year unless otherwise specified by the executive committee.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Meetings will be held monthly as designated by the Executive Committee.
Notification of meetings will be provided by commonly used methods such as computer communications. Such notification will be the responsibility of the secretary.
Failure to properly notify the membership invalidates the meeting for the purpose of any business.
The election of executive officers will be held over the October through December meetings. Candidates will be nominated during the October meeting. These nominations will be published to the RADA via email and website. The election will be held during the subsequent meeting. The new officers will assume their offices on January 1.
The Executive Committee will meet prior to the regular membership meetings.
ARTICLE VI – ORDER OF BUSINESS
At all general meetings, the order of business shall normally be as follows. This order of business may be changed as required by circumstances.
1. Agenda
2. Approval of the minutes of the last meeting
3. Financial Report
4. Unfinished Business
5. New Business
6. Programs
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The officers of the RADA shall be a President, one or two Vice-Presidents (at the discretion of the President), Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee.
Terms of office shall be from January 1 to December 31. All officers shall be elected for a term of one year.
Executive Committee meetings are open to all members.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the RADA, and shall appoint all committee chairpersons as needed. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
The Vice President in the absence of the President shall have the obligation to fill the duties of that office.
The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of general membership and of the Executive Committee.
The Treasurer will be custodian of the funds and shall keep account of receipts and expenditures in records open to inspection. All financial records may be subject to examination by an accountant at the discretion of the Board. The Treasurer shall submit financial reports to the Board at each called meeting and/or when requested.
The Executive Committee will recommend a budget for the approval of the general membership, no later than February of the fiscal year.
ARTICLE VIII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected Officers, the immediate Past President, and the appointed Chairpersons of the standing and special committees.
The Board of Directors shall have the general supervision of the affairs, funds, property and activities of the RADA, making recommendations to the membership and shall perform such duties as are specified in these By-Laws. The Board cannot make decisions unless at least a majority of Board members is present.
The Executive Committee, consisting of the elected officers, shall have the power of the Board of Directors when urgent action is required. A report of such action shall be made to the Board at its next meeting.
The Board of Directors has the authority to recruit and hire a director. The Board of Directors will develop and publish a job description prior to this action.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES
Committee Chairpersons will direct their committees and submit plans and recommendations to the Board for approval.
ARTICLE X – BY-LAWS AND GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
The By-Laws of the RADA may be amended by a 2/3 vote of all members.
The General Operating Procedures may be amended by a majority vote at a general meeting.