The Contemporary Art Society
Analysis
The Contemporary Art Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00255486). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Contemporary Art Society reported income of £2.1m and spending of £1.9m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.6m to £2.1m (+35%), an average of +7.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 42%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Contemporary Art Society sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Crewe Youth Club (£2.1m), Nottingham Contemporary (£2.1m) and Granta Trust (£2.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 63%, charitable activities 23% and trading 12%. Charitable activities took 87% of spending and raising funds 10%. Reserves of £771k would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 17 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 63%
- Charitable activities 23%
- Trading 12%
- Investments 1.0%
In the charity's own words
The Contemporary Art Society is a national charity that encourages an appreciation and understanding of contemporary art in the UK. With the help of our members and supporters we raise funds to purchase works by new artists which we give to museums and public galleries across the UK where they are enjoyed by a national audience now and for the future.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Crewe Youth Club | Cheshire | £2.1m |
| Nottingham Contemporary | Nottingham | £2.1m |
| Granta Trust | London | £2.1m |
| Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust | Tunbridge Wells | £2.1m |