Our Story

Over 10,500 works of fine art and craft have been donated to public collections since our foundation in 1910.

From the Post-Impressionists and Bloomsbury Group, through internationally renowned figures of 20th-century art such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and David Hockney, to the YBAs and stars of the 21st century such as Olafur Eliasson, John Akomfrah and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, we are proud of an extraordinary track record of outstanding purchasing. 

The Contemporary Art Society is the Subject Specialist Network (SSN) for contemporary art in the UK, disseminating the latest knowledge and expertise for arts professionals through a year-round programme of workshops and conferences. 

Based in London, we raise income through an international network of patrons and private collectors. Typically, just over 88% of our annual investment in art purchase is focussed outside of London, ensuring that funding for art is distributed for the benefit of the whole nation, whether that is in major metropolitan centres or small, rural or post-industrial towns.

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