Membership
Joining the Alliance
For over 40 years, the Independent Media Arts Alliance has brought together the many voices making up the media arts community. The Alliance was created by artists from all over the country to advocate for collective interests, support artists and arts administrators as well as build capacity in the sector.
Our Community
Media arts artist-run organizations give voice to artists who present an alternative and distinct view, whether it is aesthetic, theoretical or political. The independent works being created contribute to our understanding of creativity, diversity in all its forms and inclusivity, inspiring new ways of seeing.
Reasons to Become a Member
Pursuing a Healthy Sector
IMAA calls for a sector where artists, cultural workers, and media arts organizations are sustained with support tantamount to the social, cultural, and economic impact that they have. The Alliance is a dynamic network that amplifies our collective voice. Our members play a crucial role in shaping the strategic directions of IMAA’s advocacy and action.
Our membership works towards a healthy sector where…
Artists are paid a minimum fee for the use of their work, as established in IMAA’s Fee Schedule. Art organizations are able to fairly compensate cultural workers. Artists from diverse backgrounds have access to resources and equipment to produce quality work and to support their exhibition, promotion and distribution within the country and abroad. Artworks are collected, archived and preserved as part of Canadian Heritage. Artists and organizations across Canada, especially those from underrepresented communities, have a forum to discuss key issues and contribute to the development of the sector. Arts organizations commit to anti-oppression principles and work to implement equity-based practices.
A Network Shaping the National Sector
The Independent Media Arts Alliance is the only National organization representing the Media Arts in so-called Canada. We represent the interests of the sector to decision makers and funders on a national level, and contribute to the landscape through collaboration with larger cultural umbrella organizations and partnerships with organizations who share common goals and values.
Our members make the network vital and sustaining. By joining the Alliance, you can build community with fellow members, participate in pressing research, and support advocacy efforts. Together, the IMAA and our members unite to think and act for a stronger future for Media Arts.
Access Our Resources and Projects
As part of our goal to create a vibrant and healthy media arts community, IMAA researches and publishes tools to support the entire sector, from employees to the boards of artist-run organizations, to artists and cultural workers.
With the collaboration of our members, we vote and update the IMAA Fee Schedule every year. We created the Online Presentation Standards Guide. As a result of the interConnect initiative, we have put online a number of resources and knowledge about digital projects and practices. We developed the Cyber Safe and Sound website where you will find everything you need to know about cybersecurity and cybercitizenship.
We also have a number of projects underway that benefit the community:
We offer funding to organizations for digital skill-focused artistic residencies through the Digital Skills 4 Youth (DS4Y) program. We supported organizations to build anti-racism capacity and action throughout the CSMARI funding.
National Media Arts Gathering
Every two years, IMAA organizes a National Media Arts Conference hosted by a different city. This is a wonderful networking and professional development opportunity, and an invigorating source of inspiration for cultural workers and artists who are active in artist run organizations. IMAA members benefit from a special discounted rate to attend the conference.
Stay Connected
IMAA publishes a monthly newsletter featuring IMAA’s news and initiatives, members’ activities as well as pertinent information to the independent media arts sector: this includes job and funding opportunities and member updates. IMAA periodically sends out Members Memos related to priority issues such as funding program changes, or government budget announcements that affect our members. IMAA’s members also hold a regional meeting at least once a year, and indigenous-led organizations from across the country are also invited to gather through the National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition (NIMAC).
The best ways to know what IMAA is currently engaged in is:
Get in touch with the team! Review the IMAA Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the IMAA Basis of Unity to get up to date with how the Alliance is prioritizing its work. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Join community discussions on the Media Arts Connect Discord server. Subscribe to our newsletter.
By joining the Alliance, your support and commitment will affirm that independent media art is indispensable to our cultural ecosystem and must be supported.
Application and Renewal
To become a member of IMAA or to renew your membership, please complete the application form below.
More details on membership and a full list of privileges can be found here.
It is possible to become an IMAA member at any time of the year. The IMAA membership cycle begins on April 1 and ends on March 31 of each year, with April 1st as the membership expiration date for all members. *Members who begin the process after February 1 will have their membership extended for the upcoming cycle.
Become a Regular Member
Membership criteria for regular members
A full member of the IMAA supports the creation, distribution or presentation of media arts and adhere to the membership criteria based on the IMAA’s principles:
Be a non-profit organization, a member-driven co-op or an artist collective Be artist initiated and controlled Pay fees to artists Support the aims and objectives of the IMAA Support the IMAA’s Basis of Unity
Examples of organizations that can apply for a Membership:
A media arts production, exhibition or distribution organization A not-for-profit media arts collective
Benefits of Joining IMAA
Join a vast network of nearly 100 highly dedicated media arts organizations, collectives and galleries and professional peers. Receive IMAA’s monthly newsletters, memos to members, communications sent out by your region and other specific communications Get the full voting privileges at IMAA’s Annual General Meeting Join the Board of Directors Participate in IMAA committees to add your voice and share your insights. Attend Regional Meetings Reduce costs on health insurance for your staff and affiliated artists. Get a discount to register at the bi-annual National Media Arts Conference Increase the visibility of your work projects Advertise job postings or calls for submission on our Offers and Calls board Share your events through our social media channels
And more!
Become an Allied Member
Membership criteria for allies
Allied Status is available to all Canadian organizations dedicated to furthering the media arts. This category is an opportunity for cultural organizations that do not meet the regular membership criteria but who wish to demonstrate support of the IMAA mandate.
The criteria that applies to Allied Status:
Support gender equity Support cultural equity Support the aims and objectives of the IMAA Support the IMAA’s Basis of Unity
Examples of organizations that can apply for an Allied Membership:
A media arts festival that does not yet pay artist fees. An artist-run centre, gallery or collective that is involved primarily in the visual or performing arts as opposed to the media arts. An educational or training institution that does not operate as a non-profit organization. A media arts organization that is not artist initiated and controlled.
Benefits of Allied Membership
Join a vast network of nearly 100 highly dedicated media arts organizations, collectives and galleries and professional peers. Receive IMAA’s monthly newsletters, memos to members, communications sent out by your region and other specific communications Participate in IMAA committees to add your voice and share your insights. Attend the Regional Meetings Reduce costs on health insurance for your staff and affiliated artists. Get a discount to register at the bi-annual National Media Arts Conference Increase the visibility of your work projects Advertise job postings or calls for submission on our Offers and Calls board Share your events through our social media channels
Attend the IMAA’s Annual General Meeting And more!