Start a New Chapter

What are the National Art Honor Societies?

The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) or National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) are more than “art clubs.” Students are required to meet eligibility criteria for membership as detailed in your chapter’s constitution and bylaws (download the Chapter Handbook for details).

NAHS is for high school students.
NJAHS is for junior high and middle school students.

Follow these steps to establish a new chapter at your school:

1.) Check with your school administrator to ensure starting a chapter aligns with policies. If needed, use the downloadable letter of encouragement.

2.) Establish chapter bylaws by using these sample bylaws.

3.) Invite qualifying students to join your chapter.

4.) Register the chapter with NAEA using one of the methods below:

Online: Login into your account and register your chapter. Ensure your NAEA sponsor membership is current through June 30. Also, upload the student roster form in the chapter profile.
Fax: If you need an invoice, complete the NAHS/NJAHS chapter registration form, then fax it along with payment to (703) 860-2960.
Mail: Print and complete the NAHS/NJAHS chapter registration form, then mail it with payment to NAEA Member Services, 901 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3008.
Email: If you need an invoice, complete the registration form and email it with payment to NAHS@arteducators.org.

5.) Once processing is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. The chapter will also receive a letter of acknowledgement and student membership cards for each member by email and/or mail (cards mailed only upon request) along with access to all other NAHS/NJAHS benefits.

6.) Download the Guide to Establishing a Successful Chapter to help get your chapter going!

Note: If your sponsor fees are not up to date (paid through June 30), you will need to pay your sponsor fee along with the student dues. To see the sponsor fee for your state, please refer to the membership dues calculator.

CHAPTER COSTS

Each NAHS/NJHS chapter is required to pay a sponsorship fee and student dues at the time of registering and upon yearly renewal.

Sponsorship Fee

VARIES BY STATE

The mandatory NAHS/NJAHS sponsorship fee entitles the chapter sponsor to all the benefits of an NAEA membership; co-sponsors must also be active NAEA members. (Sponsorship fees are waived for sponsors who have an active NAEA membership that is valid through June 30). Need to see the sponsor fee for your state? Reference the chart below.

See Sponsorship Fees by State

Student Dues

$5/STUDENT

Student dues are $5 per student each year the student is a member of the chapter, and are due at time of registration.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP CARDS

After registering your chapter, you will receive an email containing the membership card template for your registered student members for the 2025-2026 program year. Please note that NAEA has transitioned from physical to digital membership cards to make our process more efficient and environmentally friendly. If you require physical copies of the membership cards, please email nahs@arteducators.org .