AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY INC

What AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY INC does

American Impressionist Society Inc (AIS) is a Nebraska-domiciled 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization founded in 1998 to serve professional and serious amateur artists working in the American Impressionism style. The organization operates from a PO Box in Omaha, Nebraska, with operational leadership based in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and runs a small staff historically anchored by Executive Director Liz Ahrens, the first full-time paid staff member since 2000, with Kristi Wodek succeeding her effective August 3, 2026. AIS generates revenue through five streams: calendar-based membership dues ($65/year Associate, $50/year Supporter), workshop fees ($200-$250), exhibition entry fees ($20-$50 per submission), multi-tier sponsorships ($250 to $10,000+), and 60/40 commission splits on Wet Wall art sales at partner galleries.

The core product portfolio comprises annual juried exhibitions (the flagship National Juried Exhibition in its 27th year, the Small Works Showcase in its 10th-11th year, and virtual All Member and Associate Member Online Exhibitions), educational programming including the monthly Fresh Impressions webinar series and in-person studio workshops led by Master Signature Members, plein air Paint Out competitions with associated Wet Wall one-day sales exhibitions, and an international travel program via a partnership with Workshops in France. The 27th Annual National Exhibition distributes over $105,000 in awards and prizes. Technology infrastructure is modest: AIS runs on the Wild Apricot membership management platform, uses ShowSubmit for online exhibition entry submissions, and hosts digital catalogs on FlippingBook, with no proprietary technology stack.

Distribution and GTM are event-driven and community-led, relying on host gallery partnerships across multiple US regions (Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, Cassens Fine Art in Hamilton, Fallbrook Art Center, Art Coast in Saugatuck/Douglas, Wayne Art Center, Herrig Center for the Arts), word-of-mouth within the artist community, a Facebook presence, and email communications. Marketing is amplified through media partnerships with American Art Collector, Southwest Art, and Fine Art Connoisseur magazines. AIS serves a national US membership base and does not sell products directly; rather, it facilitates artist-to-collector sales through its exhibition and gallery network, acting as a community convener and credibility validator via its juried selection process rather than as a commercial gallery operator.

Name

AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY INC

Legal name

American Impressionist Society Inc

Website

https://americanimpressionistsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

American Impressionist Society Inc is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1998 serving professional and amateur American Impressionist artists through annual juried exhibitions, educational webinars and workshops, paint out events, and gallery partnerships across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Membership Organization

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Culture Appreciation (Art History, Film Appreciation, Music Appreciation) (EDAAAGAO), Private Cultural Immersion & Heritage Experiences (Local Hosts, Traditions) (THAJALAJ), Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers (THAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Juried art exhibitions
• Artist membership organization
• Plein air paint outs
• Impressionist workshops
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual calendar-based membership subscriptions providing access to exhibitions, events, workshops, webinars, and educational programs. Two tiers: Associate Member at $65/year and Supporter at $50/year.
2. Workshop Fees: Fees charged for workshops led by master artists. Examples: Studio Workshop with Calvin Liang at $200 for members, $250 for non-members.
3. Exhibition Entry Fees: Entry fees for juried exhibitions. All Member Online Exhibition: $20 first painting, $10 per additional painting up to five entries.
4. Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers ranging from $250 (Contributing Award) to $10,000+ (Platinum Publication), providing website and catalog recognition, award naming rights, and promotional opportunities.
5. Art Sales Commission: 60/40 commission split on artwork sold through Wet Wall exhibitions and host galleries, with artist receiving 60%.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American Impressionist Society is a non-profit membership organization that provides American impressionist artists with exhibition opportunities, professional development workshops, educational webinars, plein air paint out events, and an international travel/retreat program. The organization generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions, exhibition entry fees, workshop fees, sponsorships, and commissions on artwork sales during events. It serves as a national community hub and juried exhibition platform for the American Impressionist art movement.

Product overview

American Impressionist Society (AIS) is a non-profit arts organization serving artists since 1998, offering a portfolio of exhibitions, educational programs, and membership services. The core offerings include the annual National Juried Exhibition, Small Works Showcase, and virtual Online Exhibitions for members at different levels. Educational programs feature the monthly Fresh Impressions webinar series, in-person studio workshops with Master artists, and international retreats in France. Paint Out events and Wet Wall exhibitions enable plein air competitions and immediate sales opportunities. The membership structure progresses from Associate Member through Signature Member to Master status, with each tier unlocking different exhibition and program access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AIS Membership
• AIS National Juried Exhibition
• Small Works Showcase
• All Member Online Exhibition
• Associate Member Online Exhibition
• Paint Out Events
• Wet Wall Exhibition
• Fresh Impressions Webinar Series
• Studio Workshops
• AIS and Workshops in France

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $105,000 in awards and prizes for 27th Annual National Exhibition
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Workshops in FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel partner for AIS art retreats and workshops in Provence, France. Listed as Platinum Publications Sponsor and Travel Award Sponsor.
• Ship and InsureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscounted shipping and insurance program for AIS members. Includes annual fee for enrollment.
• Mockingbird GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost gallery for 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition in Bend, Oregon (September 4-October 3, 2026). Venue for opening reception, paint out exhibition, and Wet Wall sale.
• Cassens Fine ArtcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost gallery for 26th Annual National Juried Exhibition in Hamilton, Montana.
• Fallbrook Art CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for 9th Annual Small Works Showcase in Fallbrook, California.
• Art Coast (Saugatuck/Douglas)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaterfront communities hosting 10th Annual Small Works Showcase in Michigan.
• Marriott (Residence Inn Bend)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLodging partner for 27th Annual National Exhibition with group booking code for attendees.
• American Art Collector MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring AIS Welcome Party with light bites and beverages. Magazine advertiser.
• Southwest Art MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Wet Wall Exhibition event.
• Fine Art ConnoisseurminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwards Judge prize sponsor featuring artists in publication.
• ShowSubmitcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline platform for exhibition entry submission and gallery viewing of AIS exhibitions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• California Art Club: One of the oldest and largest nonprofit art organizations in the US, serving artists through exhibitions, workshops, and Signature member tiers. Comparable to AIS in its nonprofit visual-arts focus and exhibition-driven programming, though with a stronger California/regional emphasis.
• Salmagundi Club: One of the oldest arts organizations in the US (founded 1871), serving artists through exhibitions, workshops, and club membership. Comparable to AIS as a multi-disciplinary visual arts society with exhibition programming, though with a stronger historical and New York-based footprint.
• Oil Painters of America: A national nonprofit organization serving traditional oil painters through juried exhibitions, workshops, and membership programs. Highly comparable to AIS in structure (501(c)(3) nonprofit, tiered membership, national juried shows) though with broader style scope than impressionism specifically.
• American Women Artists: A nonprofit organization promoting women artists through juried exhibitions, workshops, and Signature membership tiers. Operates a similar tiered membership model (Associate with Distinction, Signature) and juried exhibition program as AIS, serving an overlapping artist community.
• Plein Air Painters of America: A nonprofit society dedicated to plein air painters — a style strongly aligned with American Impressionism and featured in AIS's Paint Out events. Comparable in mission, exhibition focus, and member community to AIS.
• National Watercolor Society: A nonprofit organization hosting annual juried watercolor exhibitions with Signature membership tiers. Directly comparable to AIS in nonprofit structure, annual juried exhibition model, and tiered membership progression for visual artists.
• Pastel Society of America: A nonprofit organization dedicated to pastel artists with annual juried exhibitions, signature membership tiers, and educational programming. Directly comparable to AIS in nonprofit structure, medium-specific membership, juried show programming, and tiered membership progression.
• American Artists Professional League: A nonprofit professional art society founded in 1928 hosting annual juried exhibitions and offering signature membership tiers. Comparable to AIS in mission, tiered membership, and traditional exhibition programming for working artists.

Regional players

• Crooked Tree Arts Center: A Michigan-based nonprofit arts organization previously led by Liz Ahrens (AIS's outgoing ED). Operates galleries, exhibitions, and arts education programming in northern Michigan, sharing geographic overlap and operational model with AIS.
• Laguna Plein Air Painters Association: A California-based nonprofit organization focused on plein air painting events and exhibitions. Shares plein air and impressionist aesthetics with AIS but operates on a more regional scale with concentrated West Coast programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-impressionist-society-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY INC