About

Bringing together over 4,200 art professionals from over 70 countries.

AICA-UK is the British section of AICA International. Founded in Paris in 1950, this larger parent body is well represented in all parts of Europe, Australia, North and South America and the Caribbean. It has very active National Sections in Middle Eastern and Asian countries (Israel, Singapore, Japan, Hong-Kong, Pakistan) and a number of African Sections have been formed in recent years.

Objectives

The main objectives of AICA-UK have changed little over the years. In 2003, however, they were redefined to emphasise the global reach of the Association, its cross-cultural ambitions and its interdisciplinary approach. AICA-UK aims to.

Promote art criticism as a discipline and contribute to its methodology.
Protect the ethical and professional interests of its members and co-operate in defending their rights.
Maintain an active international network for its members, with the aid of available technologies and encouragement of face-to-face encounters.
Contribute to mutual understanding of visual arts and aesthetics in all cultures.
Stimulate professional relationship across political, geographical, ethnic, economic and religious boundaries.
Defend impartially freedom of expression and thought and oppose arbitrary censorship.

The membership of AICA-UK aims to be mutually supportive and engaged with topics relating to the interpretation of art, both historic and contemporary. Our annual General Meetings are occasions to learn more about, and contribute to, the work of the organisation, and there are a number of events and social occasions through the year.

A small number of distinguished individuals are Honorary Members, and they currently include Anna Somers Cocks (OBE), Bridget Riley (CH CBE) and Sir Nicholas Serota.

New members are welcomed. Applicants need to complete a form and demonstrate their track record as a writer through submitting three examples of their work. For details about how to join, see Apply.

AICA-UK is currently led by the critic Sacha Craddock supported by an executive committee. Key documents relating to the running of the organisation, as well as the statutes, are shared with members through this site.

The seventieth anniversary of AICA-UK was celebrated in 2019 and associated texts about the organisation’s distinguished history in various parts of the world can be found on AICA-UK’s website.

Founded in 1989 with the support of AICA, the Archives of Art Criticism houses the papers of leading critics and writers in France and internationally, from 1945 to today. Based in Rennes in France, it promotes research and publishes the bilingual review Critique d’art about art criticism twice a year.