Definition of Artists' international association

Originally it was called Artists International, but it added the word Association to its name when it was reconstituted in 1935. It continued until 1971, but abandoned its originally objectives in 1953, thereafter existing as an exhibiting society.

Essentially set up as a left-of-centre political organisation, the AIA embraced all styles of art both modernist and traditional. Its aim was to promote the 'Unity of Artists for Peace, Democracy and Cultural Development'. It held a series of large group exhibitions on political and social themes beginning in 1935 with an exhibition entitled Artists Against Fascism and War.