Founded in 1910, the Contemporary Art Society exists to encourage the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art and to develop public collections and collectors in the UK.  We are a national membership organisation, including contemporary art enthusiasts and collectors, curators and artists, commercial galleries and a nationwide network of regional museums and art galleries. 

We share a passion for contemporary art and collections.  All the proceeds raised through our activities are used to purchase new works of art for our public collections. 

For 100 years, we have acted as a catalytic agent in the contemporary visual arts ecology of this country, developing audiences, artists, curators, collectors and collections alike.  We have played a unique and visionary role, donating more than 8,000 works to institutions in Britain, where they are enjoyed by audiences of tens of millions.

For our diverse membership, we organise an extensive programme of events to develop insight into contemporary art and collecting; provide professional development, advice and support for arts professionals who work with collections of contemporary art across the UK; purchase and commission new works to develop public collections and advocate for the importance of public collections; use our expert overview of collections to solicit and place bequests and gifts of work; and as a charity, offer the UK's only bespoke arts consultancy services.