Since 1991, the Slovak Union of Visual Arts (Slovenská výtvarná únia, thereinafter SVU) has replaced the former Union of Visual Artists. It is a voluntary, apolitical, professional and protective civic institution associating artists, theoreticians and workers in the field of visual arts. The union is a legal entity active on the national level. It resides in the original building of the former Arts Association of Slovakia (1924, designed by architects Balan and Grossman). The rights and duties of the members are regulated by the Statutes of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts. Pursuant to the statutes, the SVU promotes artistic activity, protects specific interests and secures the international co-operation of its members
The Slovak Union of Visual Arts is a member of the International Association of Art — I.A.A. UNESCO, has a representation in Executive Commitee IAA EUROPE UNESCO, contributes in preparation and managing Conference on law and social status of European artists (in Paris, Centre Pompidou, 2008) and is a member of the Slovak Coalition for Cultural Diversity. The members representing art fields are associated on the professional, generation and regional bases.