Brooklyn society of artists

Forerunner of the American Society of Contemporary Artists, the BSA was founded in 1917 by 44 male and female artists, who sought more artistic freedom at a time when many "modernist" influences were changing the direction of American art. The goal of BSA members was to expand their exhibition opportunities, and throughout its history, the Brooklyn Museum was a frequent venue for those exhibitions. Until 1919, membership was limited to artists living or working in Brooklyn, but then was amended to artists outside of Brooklyn. By the 1960s, the Society had over 60 patron members. In 1963, the BSA voted to change its name to the American Society of Contemporary Artists. BSA artist members included Jacob Lawrence, Chaim Gross, Adolph Gottlieb, and Minna Citron. Source: "The History of American Society of Contemporary Artists" by Frank Mann and Charles Keller, http://ascartists.org/history.htm