AAW Membership Benefits

Experience the remarkable world of woodturning.

The American Association of Woodturners (AAW) is a 501(c)(3) that supports and empowers the global woodturning community – that’s our mission. And that support happens in your own wood shop, at local chapter meetings, online and around the world.

With the largest portfolio of woodturning-related material in the world, AAW is the go-to source for woodturners of all skill levels. Your membership in the AAW can help you learn and thrive in your woodturning experience, as well as connect with others who share your passion.

View and download the Membership Benefits PDF.

Publications and Online Learning

As a member of the AAW, you receive news and information delivered in print, online, by email and at in-person events around the nation. We have published thousands of articles, videos, profiles and tips to help you enjoy woodturning.

American Woodturner

Six times a year, members receive our journal, American Woodturner. Each issue includes profiles of members and professional woodturners, plus inspiring projects, tips, techniques, and news from chapters and members around the world. 

Woodturning Fundamentals

This resource includes how-to projects, techniques, tips, videos, and information to build essential woodturning skills. It includes a digital archive and downloadable pdfs.

Learning Portals

This members-only web-based education hub develops woodturning skills and essential techniques. Designed for a range of woodturners, from new turners to those looking to advance their skills, it complements the Woodturning Fundamentals digital publication.

Discover Woodturning

This online learning portal introduces the art and craft of woodturning to the public. Learn about woodturning’s origins, its appeal, and how to get started. Here you will also find tips for use in your wood shop, as well as community-building resources.

Members use the EXPLORE! search tool to access and enjoy endless woodturning content, articles, tips, and videos collected by the AAW to help you safely and effectively expand your woodturning world.
Safety for Woodturners is a vital aspect of your turning experience. We share useful articles and videos on tool use, body position at the lathe, sharpening woodturning tools and more.

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Teaching and Professional Development

The AAW Professional Outreach Program (POP) fosters and promotes high standards of professionalism in woodturning through a variety of activities. The POP includes grants, awards and exhibition opportunities. It also provides access to funding for selected applicants for research, creative growth and innovation in turned wood art. 

Teacher’s Resource and Project Guide is a handbook to help educators teach woodturning skills. Includes important safety guidelines, best practices, lesson plan tips, and projects.

Planning and Presenting a Successful Demonstration is a training manual and online video series to help experienced woodturners build or improve demonstration skills.

Teaching Woodturning Basics is a reference guide to help intermediate and advanced turners learn to teach others.

The AAW’s Chapter Officer Toolkit is an online resource to assist chapter officers support their local members. It includes insurance information, best practices, sample job descriptions, and more.

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Chapters and Communities

Forum: A member-moderated online community for sharing work and ideas, feedback, and connecting with other woodturning enthusiasts.

Remote Demonstration Calendar: A one-stop schedule of online woodturning demonstrations and presentations hosted independently by AAW member demonstrators.

AAW Chapters: With 365 chapters around the U.S., there is a local woodturning group near you that holds events for instruction, inspiration and community building to help you expand your woodturning network. 

Chapter Leadership Online Community: Helps chapter leaders connect, share, and support members.

Demonstrator Direct: For any turner who will be conducting woodturning demonstrations, this online learning module has resources to help you plan and present a more successful presentation.

EOG Program: AAW’s Educational Opportunity Grants (EOG) offer funding to selected applicants for woodturning education projects.

Exhibition opportunities and calls for entry: Apply and enter work for member exhibitions at the Annual International Symposium, the Gallery of Wood Art in Saint Paul, and other venues.

Turners Without Borders: An AAW committee that delivers woodturning information and outreach services to the global woodturning world.

Women in Turning (WIT): A committee that brings together women who share a passion for woodturning to help further their skills and increase their participation in the field.

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Member Benefits PDF