'Baristas at Brunetti, Melbourne', Oil painting by Lisa Wang, Highly Commended Award Winner, VAS Winter Exhibition 2020
Become a member of VAS and be part of one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art organisations.
Our recently restored heritage building is a unique place in Melbourne where artists and art lovers come together to exhibit, celebrate, learn and network with each other.
VAS membership is an annual subscription and runs from the moment you sign up, with a first-time joining fee of $50.
We have a convenient online system, which allows you to join and pay any time of day. Simply choose from the memberships below and follow the steps.
You can also contact the office on 03 9662 1484, ask questions and join over the phone.
Members can exhibit and sell their artworks in 11 exclusive exhibitions annually, including the Contemporary, Maritime and Portraiture, the Autumn, Winter and Spring Select Exhibitions, and the Mavis Little Artist of the Year. Selection criteria applies for the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Artist of the Year exhibitions.
As well as having their artworks hanging in our galleries, VAS member exhibitions are also presented online, enabling members to have their artworks viewed by a wider audience internationally.
Artist members can also vote in Select Exhibitions, which go towards the Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award Exhibition.
Members who take part in VAS exhibitions are eligible for a range of awards and prizes, including Highly Commended Awards and many sponsored prizes. We also hold a biennial portraiture scholarship, the Norma Bull Naturalistic Portraiture Award, and the annual Mavis Little Artist of the Year award for $10,000.
All VAS members have the opportunity to present artworks for sale on the VAS Online Gallery and Online Exhibitions.
A free magazine for members to keep up to date with new exhibitions, the latest on workshops and art classes, paint out days, art events and interesting articles.
Offering a variety of 18 weekly classes throughout the year that are taught by highly regarded artists in their specific mediums. There is a choice of Sculpture, Oil painting, Watercolour, Acrylic, Pastel, Gouache, Drawing and Mixed media. We have daytime, evening and weekend classes that suit all ability levels, which are kept small to allow quality one-on-one time with the teacher.
Classes are available to members at a discounted rate.
A diverse range of workshops take place during holiday breaks. These courses run over several consecutive days, where students can learn from some of the best Australian artists. Suitable for beginners through to advanced students.
All workshops are available to members at a discounted rate.
There are three untutored sessions a week available for artists who love to draw and paint the human form; two sessions of life, with a nude model, and one portrait session with a model.
Experience the joy of Plein air painting in the company of like-minded people. A perfect way to keep a visual artists’ diary. These events are exclusive to members and take place at a variety of parks, coastal locations and natural wildernesses.
Our five recently restored heritage galleries are available for members to hire at a reduced rate. There is also a members’ exclusive gallery available for hire.
Connect with fellow artists and supporters of our society at events, exhibitions and classes. We welcome artists of all mediums and styles. Members can also advertise events, exhibitions and services on our noticeboards and flyer stands within the VAS building.
There are countless opportunities for members of the Society to contribute—from helping with exhibition preparation to organising events and functions. VAS depends on its community of passionate artists and art lovers to maintain this thriving centre of art in Australia.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.
