Living in the Nation's Capital, with so many free events going on year-round, it might seem silly to spend a princely sum of money for the privilege of becoming a Member of a local arts organization.

But there are a number of good reasons to think about becoming a member -- maybe you're interested in a particular subject that's only shown at a pay-for museum, maybe you're an artist looking to grab a foothold in the scene, or maybe you're just tired of walking the same halls at the Smithsonian institutions every weekend. And oh yes, it's the holidays. A membership to your special someone's favorite arty haunt may be just the answer. Don't forget, many of the membership fees are tax deductible. Here's a guide to your local venues; all memberships are annual:

Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art
Who Should Get a Membership: Lovers of modern and contemporary art and active urban socialites looking to network with well-rounded professional colleagues.
How Much: Individual -- $55; Other memberships here
Benefits: Free general admission; discounted or complimentary admission to special exhibitions; discounts at the gift shop and cafe; Invitations to Member Preview Days (often includes an artist talk) and other special exhibit tours; subscriptions to the gallery magazine, monthly calendar and email list; one guest pass; discounts on classes at the College of Art + Design.
Notable Extras: The Corcoran fosters a number of "special interest groups" -- the 1891 Society, FRIENDS, and Business and Professional Women. Gallery members get discounted memberships to these groups as well.

Where: The Phillips Collection
Who Should Get a Membership: Lovers of the intellectual side of modern art, who go to art galleries to relax and learn the history behind the visual result on the wall.
How Much: Individual -- $60; Other memberships here.
Benefits: Free admission to both permanent and special exhibitions, the Sunday Concerts and Thursday Artful Evenings; members-only preview days and other events; discounts on other Phillips programs, including at the Center for the Study of Modern Art and at the gift shop and cafe; two guest passes; subscription to the Museum magazine and email list.
Notable Extras: An Associate membership ($175) includes two adults and their children, as well as reciprocal membership in over 100 other museums across the country.

Photo by kindalight

Where: District of Columbia Arts Center
Who Should Get a Membership: Theater goers who prefer small, intimate shows; art hobbiests.
How Much: Individual -- $30. Other memberships here.
Benefits: Discounts on ticketed events and your first five purchases at Utrecht Art Supplies; invitation to member meetings and special events; subscription to the monthly calendar and email list; one free 2'x2' space at the annual Wall Mountables show.

Where: Washington Project for the Arts
Caveat: This organization is still currently WPA\C, but they announced in October the WPA is splitting from the Corcoran at the end of 2007, so you should call them at 202-639-1828 to see if any changes will be made to their membership benefits. Listed here is the current WPA\C information.
Who Should Get a Membership: New artists trying to get a foothold in the D.C. art scene.
How Much: Individual -- $45. Other memberships here.
Benefits: A space in the ArtFile online database; invitations to special events and programs, including artist networking opportunities; lots of discounts to art supply and framing stores.
Notable Extras: There are over 1000 WPA\C members, many of whom participate in a wide variety of member shows throughout the years. Check out their current series, 9x10, for a taste.

Where: Washington Performing Arts Society
Who Should Get a Membership: Dance and music lovers; patrons who believe supporting the arts and providing art education to youngsters is our responsibility.
How Much: Individual -- $50. Other memberships here.
Benefits: Access to pre-sale and priority ticketing and member-only preview performances; discounts on some performances and a few eateries and music/book stores; subscription to the monthly newsletter; handling charge waiver on tickets; invitation to annual members meeting.
Notable Extras: Your membership fees go to support the slew of arts outreach programs the WPAS provides free to children and seniors.

Where: Textile Museum
Who Should Get a Membership: Aspiring Project Runway contestants, knitters, quilters, and all lovers of cloth and design.
How Much: "Mid-Atlantic" (DC, VA, MD residents, includes two adults and children under 18) -- $45. Other memberships here.
Benefits: (Note: General admission for everyone is free with a $5 suggested donation.) Special invitations and discounts to certain exhibits, educational programs and other activities; discounts at the gift shop; subscription to the quarterly magazine; and opportunity to participate in Museum Study Tours that are led by experts and have traveled to Russia, Bolivia, Madagascar, and more..
Notable Extras: The Textile Museum will soon be opening a second location in Penn Quarter.

Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts
Who Should Get a Membership: Feminists.
How Much: Individual -- $40. Other memberships here.
Benefits: Free admission; discounts on purchases and other special events; subscription to the NMWA magazine.
Notable Extras: The Young Professional's Forum membership ($75) includes networking opportunities for adults 18-30 and invitations to special events.

Where: National Building Museum
Who Should Get a Membership: Families, families, families. And people who stand outside all day to watch the bulldozers build that condo next door to your house.
How Much: Individual -- $50. Other memberships here.
Benefits: Invitations to member-only Construction Watch Tours and other special events and programs; discounts on educational programs and at the gift shop (not to be taken lightly; NBM is well-known for their phenomenal gift shop); subscription to NBM's quarterly magazine.
Notable Extras: The Family Membership ($80) includes discounts on their summer camp and NBM birthday parties for the kids.

Did we leave out your favorite art venue to support? Leave it in the comments.