The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) is a United States organization for women involved in fine art. It was founded in 1889 as the Woman's Art Club of New York, at a time when women did not have parity with men in the National Academy of Design and the Society of American Artists. In 1913 it was renamed National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors, and the current name was adopted in 1941.
Its mission statement is:
"The purpose of the Association is to promote culture and education in the visual arts through exhibitions of its member's works, lectures, art demonstrations, scholarships, awards and other educational programs.
The Association shall foster public awareness of, and interest, in works of art with emphasis on fine art created by women. It will encourage new emerging artists through all appropriate means".
The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA), founded in 1889, is the oldest professional women's fine arts organization in the United States, continually providing a forum for women artists to share ideas and exhibit their work. The organization has been promoting and nurturing the work of professional women artists, sponsoring local and national exhibitions, offering merit prizes, lectures and special events for its 850+ membership, and hosting ongoing exhibitions at its headquarters address in NYC.
Briggs, Berta N. (1932). "The National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors". Parnassus. 4 (4): 33–33. ISSN 1543-6314. JSTOR 770930. doi:10.2307/770930.