Are there different levels of membership?
Yes, in addition to the main Membership category, it is possible for Members to be nominated as a Fellow. Fellowships are awarded by the Board in recognition of outstanding reputation, experience and talent.
Join our Creative Community
Our membership gives you access to expert knowledge, advice and opportunities, expands your network and keeps you up to date.
It also gives you recognition: Members and Fellows can use professional accreditation after their name, MRSS and FRSS accordingly.
The sculptor members of our Board review all applications and select new members by majority vote. There are two rounds of applications each year, in winter (typically opening in January) and summer (typically opening in July).
If you have any questions, please contact us by email info@sculptors.org.uk.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Established, national or international, professional artists who make sculpture in any of its forms as a significant part of a coherent professional practice, whose work adds to the language of sculpture and who can demonstrate a high level of expertise, experience, and contemporary understanding.
Successful applicants will demonstrate a high level of expertise, experience and contemporary understanding. Applicant's work should be high quality, distinctive and adds to the language of sculpture; whilst also demonstrating the skilled realisation of ideas. The selection panel is keen to see evidence of enquiry and reflection.
Regrettably, we are unable to provide individual feedback on membership applications.
Prospective Members should demonstrate evidence of making sculpture in any of its forms as a significant part of a coherent professional practice. They will be selected for membership based on the quality of the application and provide evidence of:
1. Distinctive and high quality work which adds to the language of sculpture
2. A critically engaged practice with contemporary understanding
3. Accomplished use of materials, techniques and processes
Please note those still in full-time education are not eligible for membership. If in doubt contact us before applying.
How to Apply
Entrants are required to submit an online application form which comprises a short CV and artist statement, as well as up to ten images.
The fee for entry is £43.00 and is non-refundable. Regrettably we are unable to provide individual feedback on membership applications.
Applications for membership are currently closed but we expect to reopen in early 2025.
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Hear directly from members about their experience in the Society by scrolling down or visit the Society's Vimeo Channel
Membership Fees
The yearly fees for 2024 are:
Members (MRSS): £222
Fellows (FRSS): £268
Benefits of Membership
Be part of an internationally recognised organisation with professional accreditation (Member MRSS and Fellow FRSS) and members who generously share their experience, skills and knowledge.
Access member-only opportunities, including a growing number of residencies, awards, commissions and continuing professional development workshops
Discover the latest opportunities, both member-only and from across the sector, in our weekly members’ e-news
Promote your work online in our searchable directory of members’ portfolios, see Our Sculptors Portfolios including a beautiful image gallery, links to your web site and contact details
Publicise your exhibitions and events online in Our Sculptors On View
Access our online members’ area to connect with fellow sculptors both virtually and in person via the Regional Connect Groups, which meet for studio tours and talks
Participate in regular regional Zoom calls, hosted by your local Trustee representative
Receive invitations to our private views, exhibitions, seminars and talks
Feature in the Society’s archive
Develop your practice with regular peer-to-peer support as part of the Connect groups led by Trustees and open to all members
Watch Saroj Patel MRSS who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors almost a year ago speak about what her experience being a member of the Society and why she recommends artists to join, August 2023.
Watch Simon Hitchens FRSS, who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors nearly 30 years ago and has also served as a Trustee (2020-24), speak about his experience.
'The biggest thing I value is the sense of solidarity [in the Society] and to be able to reach out and talk about things, perhaps technical, emotional, financial problems [...] There is an enormous network in the Society and a huge variety of sculptors, working not just in three-dimensional sculpture but also installation, performance, video and permanent as well as ephemeral [...] Wherever you live you can tune into live events online or in person. You definitely get out what you put in.'
Watch Barbara Beyer MRSS speak about her experience having joined the Royal Society of Sculptors in 2019 and becoming a Trustee in 2021.
Watch Iwona Rozbiewska MRSS speaks about her experience of being part of the Royal Society of Sculptors having joined in 2022 as part of the Gilbert Bayes Award programme.
Watch Eleni Maragaki MRSS who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors in 2022 speak about what she values from her membership and why she recommends artists to join.
Watch Fiona Campbell MRSS, who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors in 2019 as part of the Gilbert Bayes Award programme, speak about her experience.
"There's a kind of real care and it's great to be part of the tribe. [...] Our practices are very different, they range from traditional to perhaps more contemporary including performance, installation, digital... but there's an underlying connection and bond that cuts across all that; and there is no hierarchy"
Watch Didi Gaudron MRSS, who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors last year, speak about her experience of being a member that she summarises as 'energy, skills and generosity'.
Watch Simone Kennedy MRSS talk about what she values about her membership of the Royal Society of Sculptors and why she recommends it to fellow artists.
Watch Andrew Stonyer FRSS who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors almost 20 years ago and is a member of the Society's Board of Trustees.
Watch Hywel Livingstone MRSS speaking about what he values from being a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Watch Julie Brixey-Williams MRSS speaking about what she values from her membership of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Watch Lisa Snook MRSS speaking about her experience of being a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Watch Susie Olczak MRSS who joined the Royal Society of Sculptors in 2016 as part of the bursary programme. Susie discusses the various opportunities she has enjoyed as a member over the years and how she participates in activities including regular meet-ups on Zoom.