National Union of Artists of Ukraine

The National Union of Artists of Ukraine (Спілка художників України) is an artist cooperative headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. This voluntary creative association consists of painters, graphic artists, sculptors, masters of decorative art and art critics.

Recognition of the Union
On 7 September 1939, the Ukrainian SSR approved the statute of the Union of Soviet Artists of Ukraine. The charter defined the status of the union as a voluntary organization uniting the workers of fine arts on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR (painters, graphic artists, sculptors, theatre artists, folk art masters), as well as persons conducting research and critical work in this recognised field. In 1998 the Union was awarded its National status. On the initiative of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine and other Ukrainian creative unions, the law on professional creative workers and creative unions have been changed. By decree of the President of Ukraine, a professional holiday named Artists Day which is dedicated to art was established.

Congress
Founded in 1938 (originally named the Union of Soviet Artists of Ukraine) as the republican branch of the Union of Artists of the USSR. The foundation was preceded by five years of preparatory work of a special organizing committee established in 1933 in Kharkiv, which was then the capital of the Ukrainian USSR. The 1st congress was held in Kharkiv, the rest were held in Kyiv.

Congresses

 * 1st – 1938
 * 2nd – 1956
 * 3rd – 1962
 * 4th – 1968
 * 5th – 1973
 * 6th – 1977
 * 7th – 1982

Past chairmen
Here is a list of all presidents of the Union since its creation in 1938.