Founded 1950 Area served global | Tax ID no. 11-6015643 | |
Focus fine and creative art materials Location Cornelius, North Carolina Products conferences and trade shows;
Essential Reference Guide;
Art Materials Professional Certificate Program | ||
The International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA), also known as the National Art Materials Trade Association is an international nonprofit corporation based out of Cornelius, North Carolina. It is the largest organization in the world that works exclusively on behalf of the fine art and creative 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 importers located in 39 countries around the world.
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Corporate history
The National Art Materials Trade Association was established on January 4, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. 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. In addition to Ellison and Peters, founding members include Henry Levinson, founder of Liquitex.
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.
As of 2012, NAMTA represents members in the art and creative material industry in 39 countries around the world. 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.
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. NAMTA's industry newsletter provides innovative ideas for increasing profitability, while cutting waste. 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, and manufacturers. 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 100 exhibitors each year. During the convention, the association presents the Art Business Innovation Awards, which recognizes the achievements of retailers and suppliers, publishers, and manufacturers of art materials throughout the world. Recognition additionally includes the NAMTA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Since 2010, the convention is known as the Art Materials World trade show.
Art Advocacy www.namtaartadvocacy.org