ARTIST OF THE MONTH/YEAR Policy/Procedure: 

Policy updated as of Jan. 4, 2026

•       The AOM/AOY is open to all members in good standing.  This activity is intended to encourage members to show their     new work with member peers, and also provides a means of displaying the work online through the website. 
•      No prior jurying is required. 
•       Voting is done by members through an online poll link on the AOM/AOY webpage.
•       Duration of each cycle is September through April.  May is reserved for Artist of the Year, chosen from the eight monthly winners that season.  An email Call For Art in August starts the new AOM/AOY season, with the winner announced in September.

Artist of the Month Guidelines

Members may submit only one painting each month.

Paintings submitted must be new work (Created within a calendar year of the new season up through the current AOM. For example, a submission for an April AOM 2026 could have been created from January 2025 up to April 2026 because the season started in the fall of 2025)

The work must not have been previously submitted to AOM review, nor have been in an APAA show. Paintings that received awards in APAA or other pastel juried shows are not eligible to be presented for Artist of the Month.

Photo references used must be taken by the artist, same as most national and international art shows.

Members may vote their choices for best painting by voting poll after reviewing the paintings on the website, prior to the monthly meeting.

A single AOM award will be made during the meetings in September through April to the painting receiving the most votes at that meeting.  

Members who have won a first place for that month may not compete in AOM competitions for the remaining meeting year, except in the Artist of the Year competition.

Artist of the Year Guidelines

All first place AOM winners from September through April are eligible for Artist of the Year. Members vote on an online poll sent out before the May meeting.

Awards for AOM and AOY will be determined by the Board and may change periodically based on available funds or sponsor donations.

AOM is currently $50 and AOY is $100 provided by either APAA check or sponsor gift certificate.