Association of Professional Tattoo Artists

Formerly known as the Guild of Artists, Tattoo Artists («the Guild»), the Association of Professional Tattoo Artists («APTA») was created to protect the common interest of professional tattoo artists in Russia and around the world. The APTA (formerly the Guild) was started in 2003 and was the first exclusive professional tattoo association in Russia.

One of the most important goals of the APTA is to develop activities that enlighten the world about the field of tattoo artistry in order to foster and promote a positive public opinion about the field. APTA’s second goal as a professional association is to create conditions for preserving and developing the traditions of tattoo art internationally. Members of the APTA may be a legal entity or individuals who have expressed solidarity with the interests of the United States of America, recognizing and observing its charter, regularly paying membership and special-purpose contributions, and actively contributing to the organization’s activities.

The Membership and Art Council (“the Council”) of the APTA carries out admission to the APTA, and consists of the top masters and the best representatives of the tattoo artistry profession. Admission is carried out by the Council through voting on the written application of the candidate meeting the minimum requirements. Minimum requirements for a candidate for joining the APTA are that the candidate must have at least five (5) years of experience in the field of tattoo artistry and design, and must obtain direct recommendations from at least two (2) members of the APTA. Additionally, the candidate must provide evidence of at least two (2) additional qualifications, such as national and international awards for the candidate’s tattoo artwork, press in professional, trade, or major publications about the candidate’s tattoo artwork, or other relevant evidence that demonstrates the candidate tattoo artist’s prominence in the field. Joining the APTA is also possible at the invitation of the APTA.