International Art Materials Trade Association

Last updated
International Art Materials
Association
Founded1950
11-6015643
Focusfine art and craft materials
Location
Area served
global
Productsconferences and trade shows;
Essential Reference Guide;
Art Materials Professional Certificate Program
Servicessupport, training, and marketing resources
Methodinternational conventions and trade shows; professional development and employee training resources
Members
1,200 (approximately)
Revenue
$915,415 (As of 2011)
Employees
six
Website namta.org
Formerly called
National Art Materials Trade Association

The International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA), also known as the National Art Materials Trade Association is an international nonprofit corporation based out of Huntersville, North Carolina. It is the largest organization in the world that works exclusively on behalf of the craft and fine art art materials industry. The association works collaboratively to provide executive, management, sales, marketing, and merchandising support; staff training and certification at all levels of employment, and public relations and marketing resources for industry professionals. The association includes Retailers, Suppliers, Manufacturers, Distributors, and Creative Professionals located in 39 countries around the world.

Contents

Corporate history

The National Art Materials Trade Association was established on January 4, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. [1] [2] Edward Ellison, editor of the Art Material Trade News, saw the need for a unified art materials industry and incorporated NAMTA as a nonprofit trade association, scheduling its first meeting of the board of directors the next month. During governance discussions, Frank Peters of Favor, Ruhl & Co. was elected the first president and Ellison was elected secretary/treasurer. There were 17 members when the organization started. [3] In addition to Ellison and Peters, founding members include Henry Levinson, founder of Liquitex. [4]

The goal of the founders was to create an official trade association that would work together with organizations and individuals to identify areas for business development and improvement, ensuring the perpetual existence of the industry, while working jointly to achieve and maintain a high level of professionalism and profitability. [1]

As of 2012, NAMTA represents members in the art and creative material industry in 39 countries around the world. [5] [6] In 2011, the Board of Directors changed the name of the organization from the National Art Materials Trade Association, to the International Art Materials Trade Association, in order to better reflect the scope of its membership. The association chose to retain the use of NAMTA as its official acronym. [7]

In November 2021, AFCI (The Association for Creative Industries) merged with Namta. Expanding the Namta membership to include craft materials, in addition to fine art materials.

Products and services

The association provides a variety of products and services, including access to conferences and trade shows, along with a certification program. The association conducts research and studies about the industry, and new and emerging products. Additional topics include training support and professional development; legislative advocacy and regulatory mandates; information on sales and marketing trends; and news about the art materials industry on a global scale.

Resources

NAMTA provides resources for its members.

Industry conferences and trade shows

Since its inception, the association has presented an annual convention, which is an international gathering of retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and creative professionals. The event provides members and associates the opportunity to access new and emerging art products, professional development training, and marketing tools and techniques. The conference also invites speakers and workshop leaders from around the world, along with approximately 150 exhibitors each year. Formerly, Art Materials World the annual convention is now called Creativation By Namta. [8]

Art Advocacy www.namtaartadvocacy.org

Published works

Books
Journals

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References

  1. 1 2 "About Artograph, Artograph Light Boxes, Art Projectors - Artograph, Inc". Artograph.com. 1950-01-04. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  2. Michigan Legislature House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives, Volume 3, Morse & Bagg, page 2221, 1984.
  3. "Creative Leisure News (2/15/10)". Clnonline.com. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  4. "About Us". Liquitex. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
  5. "Association Members, Artograph Light Boxes, Art Projectors - Artograph, Inc". Artograph.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  6. "The magazine for the Art Supply Industry". Art Materials Retailer. Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  7. "Art Materials World - International Art Materials Association". Namta.org. Retrieved 2012-08-31.