The Canadian Society of Marine Artists was founded in 1983 to recognize and promote marine art and artists. The Society will foster Canadian marine artists; will preserve and conserve works of art; will advocate the teaching and study of marine art, its history and its techniques, methods and values; will encourage co-operation among artists, historians, patrons and collectors, and others engaged in activities related to marine art and maritime history.

     The CSMA promotes excellence in marine art by Canadian artists. The CSMA defines Canadian as citizens, long-term residents or others whose relationship with Canadian art is unmistakable.

     The CSMA accepts that "art is in the eye of the beholder" but believes that the broad notion of "fine arts" - including both two and three dimensional works - and "excellence" should be used as guidelines. The CSMA defines marine as pertaining to the seas, oceans and lakes; the ships and men that ply them; and the associated attributes on land, both natural and man-made.

     To maintain excellence, admission to the Society as a full/signing/artist member will be by invitation only. Such invitation will follow a juried process (the jury to be defined by the Society, but normally of at least four persons, all artist members or directors of the Society). Potential artist members will be invited to submit a minimum of five works (preferably the works themselves, but high quality reproductions or photographic images may be acceptable in the first instance) together with documentation covering the artist's career, exhibitions, etc. The jury may then invite the potential artist member to exhibit at one of the Society's shows - normally the Annual Exhibition, following which the Society may, at the discretion of the jury and the artist membership, extend an invitation to join the Society.