The Union of Artists of the USSR

The Union of Artists of the USSR was a state-controlled organization established in 1932 to oversee and support professional painters, sculptors, and other visual artists within the Soviet Union. It served as a gatekeeper for artistic work, promoting styles aligned with socialist realism and ensuring artists adhered to government-approved themes. Membership was often required for exhibiting work, receiving commissions, or pursuing formal art careers. The union aimed to foster a unified Soviet artistic identity while controlling artistic expression, making it a key institution in shaping and regulating art throughout the Soviet era.