The Contemporary Art Society (CAS) is a UK-based independent charity dedicated to developing public collections of contemporary art. Founded in 1910, it has played a leading role for over a century in supporting the acquisition of modern and contemporary artworks for museums across the United Kingdom. Since its inception, the Society has donated more than 10,000 works of art to public collections, ensuring broad access to the work of living artists and contributing significantly to Britain's cultural heritage[1][3][5].

History

The Contemporary Art Society was established on 18 May 1910, shortly after the death of King Edward VII, and seven years following the founding of the National Art Collections Fund. Its founding was driven by a commitment to support young artists and promote philanthropy in contemporary art collecting. The Society’s first purchase was Augustus John's painting Woman Smiling (1908–09), which it later donated to Tate in 1917. It was incorporated officially in 1931 and registered as a charity in 1962[5].

Initially, from the 1930s, the Society extended its donations to museums in the Commonwealth, but since 1989 its activities have focused exclusively on UK institutions[3].

Mission and Activities

CAS exists to champion and develop contemporary art collections in public museums across the UK. It identifies and acquires outstanding works of art and craft, often supporting artists early in their careers, thus acting as a significant investor in the careers of multiple generations of contemporary artists[1][3].

The Society works closely with its Museum Membership—a network of 78 museums from across the UK, ranging geographically from Plymouth in the south to Orkney in the north, and from Swansea in the west to Norwich in the east. Collectively, these museums receive over 21 million visitors annually. CAS collaborates with these institutions to support their acquisition policies and foster stronger connections with their communities, aiming to create inspirational, accessible collections for present and future audiences[1].

Notable Contributions

The Contemporary Art Society has been responsible for introducing key works by prominent artists into UK public collections. These include early acquisitions of works by Paul Gauguin (1917), Dame Barbara Hepworth (1931), Pablo Picasso (1933), Henri Matisse (1935), Francis Bacon (1952), Sir Anthony Caro (1965), Sir Antony Gormley (1981), and Damien Hirst (1992). More recent notable acquisitions include works by Turner Prize winner Helen Marten (2012), Phyllida Barlow (2012), and the first UK museum collection works by Glenn Brown and Kader Attia (2016)[3].

Funding

The Society’s funding model is multi-faceted. It receives approximately 12% of its income from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The remainder of its funds are raised through private and corporate philanthropy, fundraising events, and income generated from art consultancy services. This diverse funding enables CAS to maintain its role as a key supporter of contemporary art collecting in the UK[3].

Programs and Partnerships

CAS runs a variety of programs to support museums and artists, including special awards and funds that assist with ambitious acquisitions and support specific categories of work. Some of these include the Collections Fund at Frieze, the Valeria Napoleone XX CAS Award, the Griffin Award, the Ada Award, and the Great Works scheme. The Society also collaborates with established arts organizations such as the Henry Moore Foundation and the National Gallery to offer residencies and other initiatives[4].

In addition to acquisitions, CAS produces educational content such as the weekly Friday Dispatch—an exhibition review—and the seasonal On Our Radar list that highlights emerging and mid-career artists with distinctive visual vocabularies[4].

The Contemporary Art Society remains a vital institution in the UK art world, fostering public engagement with contemporary art and supporting the growth of public art collections nationwide.

Charity Number: 208178
Website: www.contemporaryartsociety.org

[1] https://contemporaryartsociety.org/about [2] https://contemporaryartsociety.org/about/story [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_Art_Society [4] https://contemporaryartsociety.org/homepage [5] https://contemporaryartsociety.org/organisations/contemporary-art-society-cas