Los Angeles Printmaking Society

What Los Angeles Printmaking Society does

Los Angeles Printmaking Society (LAPS) is a national nonprofit artist-run organization founded in 1962 by Connor Everts and Paul Darrow in Los Angeles, California. With 6 employees, LAPS operates as a membership-based community serving printmaking artists, students, and patrons through juried membership, exhibitions, educational workshops, and student scholarships. The organization has grown from a 30-member local cooperative to an international society with members spanning the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South Korea, and Egypt.

LAPS's core offerings include five membership tiers (Artist $50/year, Student $15/year, Associate $40/year, Patron $150/year, VIP Patron $225/year), a biennial National Print Exhibition (held since 1973), and the international Mini Print LA exhibition (100+ artists). The affiliated LAPS Foundation, established in 1987, administers annual student grants of $3,500-$4,000 to matriculated printmaking students. Collaborative projects like Paper Boats and ImMigration (145+ artists) extend LAPS's international profile, while the recent 'At The Threshold' exchange with Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg marks expansion into African partnerships.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues and donations, with no public revenue disclosure. LAPS distributes its programming through partnerships with prestigious LA-area venues including Mixografia, Center for Arts Eagle Rock, Lois Lambert Gallery, SPARC, and Munzon Gallery, avoiding the need for owned exhibition space. The organization does not sell printmaking products directly but provides exhibition access, professional development, and community connection through its membership model.

Name

Los Angeles Printmaking Society

Legal name

Los Angeles Printmaking Society

Website

https://laprintmakingsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Los Angeles Printmaking Society (LAPS) is a 60+ year-old Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization serving printmaking artists, students, and patrons through juried membership, biennial National Print Exhibitions, international collaborative projects, and student scholarships via its affiliated LAPS Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from artist, student, associate, and patron members provide recurring revenue. Artist Membership is $50/year, Student Membership is $15/year, Associate Membership is $40/year, Patron Membership is $150/year, and VIP Patron Membership is $225/year.
2. Donations and Foundation Fundraising: The LAPS Foundation accepts donations and raises funds for student scholarships. VIP Patron and Patron members receive benefits including original signed prints from the Foundation Print Collection.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LAPS is a national nonprofit, artist-run organization that sells memberships (Artist, Student, Associate, Patron, and VIP Patron tiers) providing access to juried exhibitions, member galleries, workshops, and a quarterly newsletter. It produces exhibitions such as the biennial National Print Exhibition (since 1973) and Mini Print LA, runs printmaking workshops and demonstrations, and administers annual $3,500–$4,000+ student scholarships through the affiliated LAPS Foundation.

Product overview

Los Angeles Printmaking Society operates as a non-profit arts organization offering multiple membership tiers (Artist, Student, Associate, Patron, VIP Patron) that provide access to exhibitions, educational workshops, and community resources. The organization's core programs include The National Print Exhibition (biennial flagship show since 1973), Mini Print LA (international exhibition), and thematic exhibitions such as Paper Boats and ImMigration Project. The LAPS Foundation administers annual student grant awards ($3,500-$4,000) for aspiring printmaking students. Educational offerings include printmaking workshops, demonstrations, and artist talks at various venues throughout Los Angeles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist Membership Annual membership tier for professional printmaking artists ($50/year, $60 with late fee). Includes exhibition opportunities, membership gallery page, quarterly newsletter, and social media posting privileges. Applications processed through the website with jury review.
• Student Membership Discounted annual membership tier ($15/year) for college or university printmaking students. Includes exhibition opportunities, membership gallery access, quarterly newsletter, and social media posting privileges.
• Associate Membership Annual membership tier ($40/year) for art enthusiasts and supporters of printmaking who do not create prints professionally.
• Patron Membership Supportive annual membership tier ($150/year) that includes one original signed print from the LAPS Foundation Print Collection.
• VIP Patron Membership Premium annual membership tier ($225/year) including two original signed prints from the Foundation Print Collection, invitations to all exhibition openings and special events, quarterly newsletter emails, and all catalogues and posters published by LAPS during the year.
• The National Print Exhibition LAPS's biennial flagship print exhibition presenting artists of international stature alongside artists juried into the exhibition by prominent curators, showcasing a dynamic review of contemporary printmaking. The National has been presented approximately every two years since 1973, with the 22nd National held in 2022.
• Mini Print LA International mini print exhibition featuring works by more than a hundred artists worldwide, with opening reception, artist talks, and printmaking workshops. Mini Print LA 2026 ran April 18 – May 17, 2026, at the Boathouse Gallery, Plaza de la Raza.
• LAPS Foundation Student Grants Annual scholarship grant awards (upwards of $3,500–$4,000) provided by the LAPS Foundation to aspiring printmaking students enrolled in a college or university printmaking program. Includes the Barbara Frankel Award for Student Excellence in Printmaking.
• Paper Boats Portfolio Collaborative print portfolio project exploring the symbolic theme of water, presented as both flat prints and folded paper boats. Artists from across North America and internationally contribute works; the portfolio has traveled to venues including Self Help Graphics, Museum of Art Fort Collins, and Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice.
• ImMigration Project Collaborative international print exhibition and portfolio exploring themes of migration and displacement, with works from over 145 artists across North America and Europe installed in multiple locations including Denton, Texas; Venice, Italy; and Los Angeles.
• Printmaking Workshops and Demonstrations Hands-on printmaking demonstrations and workshops organized by LAPS at various venues including the International Printing Museum, teaching techniques such as woodcut, screen printing, cyanotype, and monotype printing. Free for members, with some fee-based events for the public.
• At The Threshold Exhibition Collaborative print exchange between 12 South African and 12 U.S. artists, presented at Durón Gallery, SPARC, Venice, CA (January–March 2025) in partnership with Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg, exploring themes of democracy and freedom.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 international artists participate in major exhibitions like Mini Print LA
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Plaza de la RazacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026Venue partner for Mini Print LA 2026 exhibition at The Boathouse Gallery, 3540 N. Mission Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90031
• SGCI (Serial Graphic Conference International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026LAPS actively participates in SGCI Conferences with sponsored portfolios and exhibitions. Paper Boats and ImMigration projects featured at 2019 and 2023 conferences.
• SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2025Venue partner for 'At The Threshold' exhibition at Durón Gallery, Venice, CA (January-March 2025)
• Artist Proof Studio (APS), JohannesburgflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2024Collaborative print exchange project 'At The Threshold' between 12 South African artists and 12 U.S. artists exploring democracy and freedom from opposite sides of the globe. Initiated by Jackie Nach (LAPS) and Kim Berman (APS). LAPS President Karen Fiorito traveled to South Africa to facilitate the exchange. Funded by LAPS and its donors.
• Munzon GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2024Exhibition venue for 'LA to LB: Selections from the Los Angeles Printmaking Society' (July-August 2024) in Long Beach, CA
• Center for Arts Eagle Rock (CFAER)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Regular exhibition venue partner including Nature's Way: Biomimicry in Art and Design (April 2024) and Between Us and the Trees (April 2023). CFAER provides inclusive multidisciplinary arts access to Northeast Los Angeles communities.
• USC Roski School of Art and DesignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2023Partner in 'Conversation at PAM: The Evolution of Printmaking in the 21st Century' event at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA
• Lois Lambert GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Exhibition venue at Bergamot Station Arts Center for LAPS Group Show (September-November 2023) and artist talks including Hilary Lorenz.
• MixografiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2022Venue host for 22nd National Print Exhibition (October-November 2022), celebrating 60 years of LAPS. Mixografia is a renowned fine art print workshop in Los Angeles.
• Scuola Internazionale di Grafica, VenicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022International venue for Paper Boats 2022 the Flotilla exhibition (May-June 2022) in Venice, Italy. Stop on SGCI Conference tour.
• International Printing MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2021Venue for LA Printer's Fair (November 2021) and Exquisite Corpse exhibition (Summer 2021) in Carson, CA. Tours, demos, and hands-on printing activities for visitors.
• Museum of Art Fort CollinsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2021Exhibition venue for Paper Boats 2021 portfolio presentation (July-August 2021) in Fort Collins, CO
• Self Help Graphics & ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Venue for Paper Boats 2020 exhibition and collaborative partner in ImMigration Project. Los Angeles-based nonprofit printmaking center.
• American Print AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium of non-profit printmakers' councils in the United States and Canada which sponsors national and international projects and traveling exhibitions. LAPS is a member.
• California State University Long BeachcoreOthersPrimary institution represented among student grant winners and exhibition participants. Multiple student members from CSULB receive LAPS Foundation scholarships annually.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Highpoint Center for Printmaking: A Minneapolis-based nonprofit printmaking center offering classes, exhibitions, and studio access. Comparable mission as a community-focused printmaking organization with membership programs and artist residencies.
• Self Help Graphics & Art: A Los Angeles-based nonprofit printmaking center that has partnered with LAPS on Paper Boats 2020 and the ImMigration Project. Operates as an artist-run print workshop with exhibitions, classes, and community programming in the same LA arts ecosystem.
• Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI): The international professional organization for printmakers that LAPS actively partners with on conferences, exhibitions, and portfolios. SGCI is the closest peer in mission and member base, focusing on advancing printmaking as a contemporary art form across universities and professional artists.
• American Print Alliance: A consortium of non-profit printmakers' councils in the US and Canada of which LAPS is a member. Directly comparable as a coordinating umbrella for printmaking societies, sponsoring national and international exhibitions and traveling shows.
• Center for Contemporary Printmaking: A non-profit printmaking center running its own Biennial exhibition and workshops, directly comparable to LAPS in mission and programming mix. Both operate exhibition calls, artist memberships, and educational programming for printmakers.
• Anchor Graphics: A Chicago-based nonprofit printmaking workshop offering residencies, exhibitions, and community programming. Comparable as an artist-run print organization serving professional printmakers through exhibitions and workshops.
• Boston Printmakers: A regional printmaking society running its own North American Print Biennial, directly comparable in scope to LAPS's National Print Exhibition and Mini Print LA. Both organizations are membership-based, juried, and serve professional printmakers in major US cities.

Broad incumbents

• Graphicstudio: A research workshop at the University of South Florida producing fine art prints in collaboration with visiting artists. Comparable in advancing contemporary printmaking but operates within a university research framework rather than membership dues.
• Tamarind Institute: A renowned lithography workshop and educational center at the University of New Mexico. Comparable in advancing fine art printmaking but operates at a larger institutional scale with university affiliation, training programs, and a print collection.

Emerging players

• Mixografia: A renowned Los Angeles fine art print workshop that has hosted LAPS's 22nd National Print Exhibition. While Mixografia is primarily a publisher/print shop rather than a membership society, it operates in the same LA printmaking ecosystem and serves overlapping artist communities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/laprintmaking
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-printmaking-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Printmaking Society