Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a member of SWCA. I need a password. How do I log in for the first time?

• In the top right of any page, you will find a LOGIN button.
  
• Click on the FORGOT PASSWORD link to the right of the LOGIN button.
• On the RESET PASSWORD page (a new window) enter your email address in the YOUR EMAIL box.
• Enter the six character code, from the picture immediately below, into the CODE box.
• Click the SUBMIT button. A password will be emailed to you.

• Check your email account for an email from the Society of Western Canadian Artists.
• Click on the CHANGE PASSWORD link in that email.
• On the RESET YOUR PASSWORD window that appears, enter your preferred password, twice. You may choose any phrase or word.
• Click the SET NEW PASSWORD button to save your password.

• Go to the HOME page of swcartists.ca --- the login area is on the top right corner of the page.
  
• Enter your email address in the EMAIL box.
• Enter your password in the PASSWORD box immediately beneath.
• Click the LOGIN button.
  Don't forget to LOGOUT when you are ready to leave swcartists.ca

2. I am interested in joining SWCA. How do I join?

• Go to Become a Member in the left menu and follow the links to join at the General Membership Level.

• We encourage new members to work through the various status levels as a way for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us. The status levels are to encourage you in your journey with us, rather than simply achieving a status level or designation. Those at the General Membership Level do not have exhibiting privileges. However, Jury for Status to the Exhibiting Status Level occurs once or twice a year. If you are an accomplished artist, this level should be easy to achieve. The higher levels can be applied for through subsequent Jury for Status events.

•  Signature status may be granted directly to an artist who is well-known and has made significant contributions to the art community. The person must be nominated by a SWCA member, agreed to by and at the discretion of the Executive Committee and must be juried by a Signature status level jury.

• In your profile, go to Membership Details and click on the "Renew..." button.
• Follow the steps indicated. Your appropriate status level will already be indicated.
• Payment can be made with a major credit card or PayPal.

5. Do I have to apply or renew online?

Ideally, if you have online access, you should apply or renew online.

• Doing so reduces the volume of work for the Membership volunteers.
• If you do not have a credit card or would prefer to pay by cash or cheque, see Q6.
• For members without online access, the application or renewal can be done by visiting the Membership table at the monthly meeting. You will need to complete an application form available at the table.

Yes, you may pay by cash or cheque at a monthly meeting.

• If you prefer to pay by cheque, cash, or do not have a credit card, as long as you have computer access you can still complete the application or renewal online. Payment can be made by cash or cheque at the membership table at the monthly meeting. Be sure to create an invoice online and PRINT THE INVOICE AND TAKE IT WITH YOU to the meeting along with your payment. Please bring exact change.
• If you unable to come to a meeting and need to mail a cheque, please see the Contact page for our mailing address. Please make the cheque payable to "Society of Western Canadian Artists". Please do not use "SWCA" as the bank may not accept the cheque.
  

• If you were a member in 2011/12 or later, your membership information would be included in the website database. Follow the same steps in Q1 above. Make sure you are using the same email address you had when you were a member. Then follow the steps in Q4 above to renew. If you cannot remember the email address you were using, please contact the Membership Chair for access.
• If your membership lapsed prior to September 2011, your information would not be in the website database and you will need to create a new member profile. There are two options:

• You will be able to access your member profile after your membership has lapsed.  This allows you to renew your membership online at any time.

• To reduce the work for our membership volunteers, membership cards will not be issued automatically. We are happy to provide them upon request. Be sure to take along a PRINTED COPY of your online receipt, when making your request.
• The membership card can be issued as a receipt to members without online access.
• The card may not be issued immediately depending who is at the Membership table that evening, and may need to be picked up at a later date.

• Go to the Member Subscription page.
• In the top right of any page, you will find a LOGIN (or LOGOUT) button.  Log in if you are not already logged in.
• Read the directions and click the SUBSCRIBE button at the bottom right of the page if you wish to subscribe.

• In the top right of any page, you will find a LOGIN (or LOGOUT) button.  Log in if you are not already logged in. (refer to 1 above for login directions)
  
• Click on the VIEW PROFILE link above the LOGOUT button.
• Click on the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS link on the top of your profile page.
• Click the EDIT PROFILE button on the top of your profile page.
• To unsubscribe from manual email blasts, uncheck that subscription option.
• To unsubscribe from event announcements, uncheck that subscription option.