About Us

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) is the professional body for all practicing visual artists in Nigeria. In 1963, artists emerging from various schools and colleges of art, as well as members of the Zaria Art Society held a first meeting, where the Society’s present name was adopted. Chief Aina Onabolu, Prof. Ben Enwonwu, Prof. Charles P. Argent who is largely credited with the development of Zaria’s Fine Arts department, were elected as the first patrons.

In January 1964, the Society was established with its headquarters in Lagos and an exhibition was held that featured 84 works by 12 of the founding members. Subsequent exhibitions featured more artists and work drawn from broad categories including sculpture, painting, graphics, photography, print, drawing, ceramics and textile design. At inception, the Society allowed membership to only formally trained artists. Presently, membership has expanded to include art students in tertiary institutions, self-taught and Nigerian artists in Diaspora.

The Society of Nigeria Artists (SNA) encourages the development of the visual arts in Nigeria and fosters their understanding through dedicated practice and scholarly engagement.

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) engenders the highest standards of scholarship, creativity, criticism and teaching in the visual arts in Nigeria to encourage intellectual advancement and the development of skills that enrich visual arts professionals and their contribution to national development.

To achieve this vision, the Society will:

1. Represent the diverse community of visual artists in Nigeria and advocate for the visual arts in Nigeria

2. Encourage dialogue among members and sustain permanent contacts between them;

3. Facilitate communication by keeping abreast of advances in technology through innovative and improved technology;

4. Improve the socio- economic welfare of Nigerian artists, while protecting their material and moral rights.

5. Assist professional growth by addressing career development and workforce issues

6. Strengthen organizational leadership and structures, increase membership and financial support.

The SNA represents the diverse community of visual arts professionals in Nigeria by:

1. Promoting originality and excellence in scholarship, creativity, interpretation, and teaching in the practice of visual arts in Nigeria.
2. Encouraging contributions to national development by visual arts professionals in Nigeria.
3. Fostering the exchange and dissemination of diverse artistic and scholarly viewpoints, both nationally and internationally.
4. Supporting, collaborating, and advocating for professionals in the fields of art, art history, design, and visual studies.
5. Engendering ethical standards and practices in the visual arts.
6. This existing constitution of the Society of Nigerian Artists is presently being reviewed

1. Promote excellence in scholarship and teaching in the history and criticism of the visual arts as well as creativity and technical skill in the teaching and practices of art.
2. Facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among those interested in art and history of art.
3. Advocate comprehensive and inclusive education in the visual arts in Nigeria.
4. Speak for the membership on issues affecting the visual arts in Nigeria.
5. Produce publications of scholarship, criticism, and artists’ writings.
6. Foster career development and professional advancement.
7. Identify and develop sources of funding for the practice of art and for scholarship in the visual arts.
8. Honour accomplishments of artists, art historians, and critics.
9. Articulate and affirm the highest ethical standards in the conduct of the profession.
10. Membership is open to all individuals regardless of religion, gender and physical disability.
11. Over 4,000 artists, art historians, scholars, curators, critics, collectors, educators, publishers, and other professionals in the visual arts account for SNA’s individual membership while an additional 500 departments of art and art history in tertiary institutions across the country, museums, libraries, and professional and commercial organisations are institutional members.

1. Membership
   The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) offers an opportunity to be part of a broad network of visual arts professionals, businesses and organizations committed to the development of our industry. New members benefit from participating in a range of programmes and initiatives while also supporting the Society and its works.

WHY BECOME A MEMBER?
By becoming a member of the Society, you

1. Attend SNA meetings and contribute to the vision and primary responsibilities of the Society and the visual arts profession.
2. Receive a newsletter twice a month that provides local and international opportunities for funding, residencies, exhibitions etc.
3. Contribute to on-going representation, policy research and consultation with government for better processes, funding structures and transparency for artists.
4. Contribute to a wide range of development projects, support projects and research into creating a more robust visual arts sector.
5. Develop your skills and working knowledge through access to useful resources and learning platforms.
6. Gain access to up to minute information on work, travel, learning and creative development opportunities, locally and internationally

WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER?

Membership is open to all Nigerian students, artists and art professionals regardless of religion, gender and physical disability. Membership is also open to all departments of art and art history, museums, galleries, publishers, as well as other professionals and arts related commercial organizations.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?

Application for membership except in the case of honorary members shall be to the Honorable General Secretary by the membership application form. Admission to membership shall be by a majority decision of the Executive Council. The Society on the recommendation of the Executive Council may confer honorary membership on a deserving individual.

Full members shall be holders of a degree or diploma obtained from any school of art in Nigeria or abroad, recognized by the Society or holders of any equivalent standard approved by the Executive Council, and who satisfy all the conditions for admission to full membership of the Society.

Student members are drawn from the departments of art in Nigerian colleges and universities. Applications for student membership shall be made to the Honorable General Secretary through the head of the concerned art college .A student ceases to be a student member upon the completion of his/her course.

All members are bound to further to the best of his/her ability the objects, interest and influence of the Society.

Institutional
SNA institutional membership offers corporate organizations the opportunity to identify with current trends in the visual arts. It is open to higher institutions of learning, research institutes, galleries, museums, and art related non-governmental organizations. Join today and connect to SNA’s community of artists, art teachers and curators.

Affiliated
SNA welcomes affiliated societies, groups of art professionals and other organizations whose goals and views are generally in consonant with those of the SNA.

An interested group must be national in scope and provide evidence that:

It is primarily committed to the practice and advancement of the visual arts or to the study of a major area of the history of art.
It has a formal organizational structure with elected officers, identifiable membership, and evidence of on-going activity such as a newsletter, periodical or exhibition record.

Benefits

Online Directory

Plans are in place to publish an online Directory of Affiliated Societies that will include information about each affiliate society including; name, date of founding, size of membership, annual dues, name and address of president and/or corresponding secretary, and a statement of twenty-five to fifty words on their purpose.

News

Information and articles about affiliated societies will also be published regularly. Affiliated societies are encouraged to provide information about new and exciting activities, awards, publications, conferences, as well as exhibition announcements. In addition, calls for papers, conferences, notices, and award applications will be posted on the SNA website.

Application

Applications for this category of membership will be screened by the Executive Council.

Click here to join SNA as an affiliated society.

Past Presidents and Secretaries of SNA

Yusuf Grillo /Chief T.A. Fasuyi
Professor Wangboje Irein /Emmanuel Ifeta
Professor Dele Jegede / Bernard Aina
Funke Ifeta /Anthony Unuoreokpa
Chief Okpu Eze /C.S.A. Akran
Professor Osa Egonwa / Dr. Shola Kukoyi
Kolade Oshinowo /Sidney Akaphiare
Uwa Usen / Prof Best Ochigbo
Oliver Enwonwu /Sir Chuka Nnabuife
SNA Zones and Chapters

There are four zones namely West, East, Middle Belt and North, into which the Chapters are grouped:

West: Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo state chapters

East: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross-River, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers state chapters

Middle Belt: Adamawa, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba and Abuja state chapters

North: Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara state chapters

The Society of Nigerian Artists is a member of the International Association of Artists (IAA) – an affiliate of UNESCO. The Society also works in concert with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).