The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) is an organization devoted to the advancement of embroidery as an art form. Its goal is to uphold the highest standards in the needlearts by providing excellence in education to all those interested in furthering their embroidery skills as teachers, judges, artists, designers, authors, and technically proficient embroiderers.
Established in 1985, this organization provides numerous educational opportunities for needle artists including a yearly Assembly for Embroiderers, a needlework seminar open to all students of embroidery.
The National Academy of Needlearts holds a competition for needle artists known as The Exemplary which showcases excellence in needlework and the intermediate steps in its accomplishment. It is an opportunity for members to show achievement, to teach and to learn by example, to share and to find camaraderie as each strives for personal growth.
The exemplary has two parts: a judged competition of needle art and a display of relevant embroidery subjects. The Exemplary is also the place where those enrolled in our Teachers', Judges', Exhibit Administrator's Associate, Honors, Master Judge, and Teacher cum Laude programs exhibit their wonderful artistic work. Previous years' winning entries can be viewed on the web site.
National Academy of Needlearts also produces a quarterly newsletter called Nanthology. and their web site features a section with free patterns.