One of the important functions of the American Guild of Judaic Art is to act as a referral service to help promote the art of its members. Please note however that the AGJA does not serve as a legal Representative or Agent for its members in any capacity.
The Guild provides a forum for the exchange of ideas amongst creators of American Jewish art and the public.
The Guild serves as a resource center for contemporary Jewish artists and for the general public.
The Guild acts to increase public awareness and education of contemporary Judaic craft and fine art.
The Guild acts as an advocate on behalf of its constituents with cultural, governmental and international organizations.
The Education of the general public and the Jewish public in particular concerning the history, role and current activity of Jewish Art is a central mission of the Guild. We will offer lecture series on both general topics (such as the history of the menorah through the centuries) and on specific Jewish Artists, both contemporary and historical. These lectures will be presented in New York City and will also be offered at the various Jewish organizational conventions throughout the country. In addition, the Guild is developing a unique Speakers Bureau of artists and experts in a wide variety of Judaica that will be available to a national audience. The Guild magazine, Hiddur; and the Guild web site, JEWISHART.ORG, will publish condensed versions of these lectures in addition to other educational articles designed to inform the public of the diversity and scope of 1800 years of Jewish Art.
JEWISHART.ORG, the new web site, will serve as the premiere forum for the exchange of ideas and information amongst the creators of Jewish Art and the general public. It will contain a searchable member directory which will link the artists with each other and their public, sample images of artists works, an online Hiddur archive featuring lectures and articles, the AGJA Bulletin Board to post show and exhibition information and feature communication with the public, a special members only Bulletin Board for trade and professional information, in addition to on-line membership application.
The Guild maintains a permanent Visual Resource File of our artist members works. The files are used on a regular basis by a wide range of media and press sources, as well as, by designers, retailers and synagogue committees. To take advantage of the many opportunities that arise out of this exposure, each artist member is encouraged to submit as many as 12 slides, and to update them on a regular basis.
The Guild endeavors to enhance communication among its constituency through the release of two publications. The Guild newsletter, HIDDUR, addresses marketing needs, halachic information, reviews of exhibitions and books, and other important issues of interest to Guild members and supporters. AGJA UPDATE, the membership networking vehicle, is designed to inform members of timely opportunities and to facilitate networking with each other.
American Guild of Judaic Art
15 Greenspring Valley Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117