Join Our Creative Community

Why Join HCAC? At HCAC, we build partnerships that promote art and artists, explore new cultural opportunities, and preserve our mountain artistic heritage. Your membership helps us support local artists like you while funding HCAC’s programs and initiatives throughout the year.

As an artist member, you’ll be part of a vibrant creative community—sharing techniques, forming lasting friendships, increasing public engagement with art, and much more.

Please note: Membership is open to artists who live in the Western North Carolina Mountain Region, including the counties highlighted on the map at the bottom of this page.

Get Started Fill Out the Artist Membership Form

  • Haywood County Arts Council offers many opportunities to artists in the mountain region of Western North Carolina.

  • The Arts Council is more than a gallery - it is a COMMUNITY!

  • HCAC supports all arts - Visual, Music, Performance, Heritage

  • All members can participate in the 6 exhibits throughout the year. Our annual favorite is the Small Works Show.

How it Works

  1. Complete the Artist Membership Form

  2. Pay your membership dues

  3. Start participating in exhibits, events, and opportunities!

Artist Membership Options

Artist Membership Form

Renewing Artist Members, $55 per year

New Artist Members

  • January - December: $65

  • July - December: $32.50 (prorated mid-year rate based on sign-up date)

Student Artist Members

  • January - December: $12

  • July - December: $6 (prorated mid-year rate)

Student Membership is limited to current grade school or college students. To qualify, you must have a valid student ID.
Please email a photo or scan of your ID to Artist@HaywoodArts.org, and Lauren will follow up with the next steps

Payments & Renewals

  • All memberships run on a calendar year (January–December)

  • Memberships expire on December 31

  • Renewal reminders are sent to all members in December

Payment Info

We use GiveButter to process memberships. During checkout, you may be asked to leave a tip—this goes to GiveButter, not HCAC. You can enter $0 if you prefer.

  • Anna de la Torre

    Anna de la Torre

  • Brian Ripley

    Brian Ripley

  • David Ballard

    David Ballard

  • Heidi Bleacher

    Heidi Bleacher

  • Jason Pierson

    Jason Pierson

  • Jeff Marley

    Jeff Marley

  • Mikaela Darnell

    Mikaela Darnell

  • Nory Lopez

    Nory Lopez

  • Sheri Friedman

    Sheri Friedman

Artist Member Opportunities

Explore our range of services designed to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you're headed next.

  • All of the following sales opportunities include a 30% commission to HCAC.

    Exhibits & Retail Opportunities for Artist Members

    • Exhibit Participation: Only artist members can enter exhibits, except for specially curated shows.

    • Retail Gallery: Only artist members may apply to sell their work in our retail gallery in downtown Waynesville.

    Want to start showing your work?

    • [Learn more about applying for the retail gallery]

    • [See HCAC’s exhibit calendar]

    Membership Perks:

    • Free entry and automatic acceptance into all gallery exhibits (except specially curated shows) as long as your artwork meets HCAC guidelines.

    • When: In-gallery demonstrations take place on Friday nights during opening receptions and Waynesville’s First Fridays: Shop, Sip, & Stroll (May – December) from 5 - 8 pm.

    • Eligibility: Reserved for artists participating in the current exhibit.

    • How to Participate: Opt in via the exhibit submission form to be considered for a demonstration during each exhibit.

    • What HCAC Provides: Table, chair, and promotion.

    • Sales: Artists may bring any work to sell; proceeds are split with HCAC according to the standard commission ratio.

  • Creation Classes
    HCAC offers artist members the opportunity to teach workshops in our classroom space at Folkmoot.

    How It Works:

    • HCAC shares 30% of class ticket sales as commission, with 70% going to the artist.

    • Artists may also bring work to sell during the workshop; the same 30/70% split applies.

    • Open calls for workshops are announced through theArtist Member Top Two Newsletter, or you can reach out anytime to propose a class.

    • To submit your class idea, email the Programs Coordinator at Info@HaywoodArt.org.

    Art Across Haywood

    This program is focused on bringing art into public places. It can be in the form of exhibits in public spaces, or art community projects such as the creation of murals throughout Haywood County.

    Haywood County Studio Tour

    The studio tour is a two-day, self-guided tour where visitors can meet artists in their studios! Artists pay their one-time participation fee and retain all the proceeds from their sales.

  • Artist Member Top Two Newsletter

    This is how we get the most updated information about upcoming calls for works, events, and other important information to our artist members.

    Artist Member Webpage

    As an artist member, you have the opportunity to submit an artist bio/statement and four images of your artwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and fill out the Artist Membership Form.

Artist Membership Form

  • Ready to Join? Just follow these three simple steps:

    1. Complete the Artist Membership Form

    2. Pay your membership dues

    3. Start participating in exhibits, events, and other opportunities!

  • Anyone with a passion for art! Our artist members include hobbyists, emerging artists, and seasoned professionals alike. We also offer a Student Artist Membership for current grade school and college students with a valid student ID. Please Note: Artists must live in the Western North Carolina Mountain Region. See map.

  • You can pay your membership dues in one of three ways:

    1. Online: Use the payment link in the Artist Membership Form.

    2. By Mail: Send your payment to PO Box 306, Waynesville, NC 28786.

    3. In Person: Pay at the HCAC Gallery, 86 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC.

  • Membership includes:

    • Participation in Haywood Arts programs and events

    • Opportunities to display and sell your work

    • Access to artist resources and networking

    • Opportunities to led a Creation Class

    Also, see Artist Member Opportunities at the bottom of this webpage.

  • Memberships run for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31), but you can join at any time.

    • January – December: $65

    • July – December: $32.50 (prorated mid-year rate based on sign-up date)

  • Yes! Memberships are prorated:

    • New Artist Members: $65 for Jan–Dec or $32.50 for Jul–Dec

    • Student Artist Members: $12 for Jan–Dec or $6 for Jul–Dec

  • Renewal email reminders are sent to all members in December. You can renew online, by mail, or in person.

  • Email a photo or scan of your current student ID to Artist@HaywoodArts.org, and we’ll guide you through the registration process.

  • For any membership questions, email Artist@HaywoodArts.org and Lauren will assist you.

Map of North Carolina showing a highlighted region in light blue.