About CASW
Founded in 1937, the Contemporary Art Society for Wales (CASW) aims to promote engagement with the contemporary visual arts in Wales and to support both art and artists working in the country.
A central aspect of CASW’s contribution to contemporary art in Wales has been the acquisition of a wide range of artworks, which are then distributed to galleries and public institutions across Wales. The distributed collection now includes over 950 works, which can be seen in galleries throughout the country.
In line with its commitment to making contemporary art accessible to all, CASW also makes this collection available to view online, alongside a series of recorded talks by artists and specialists in the field of contemporary art.
The Contemporary Art Society for Wales (CASW) supports contemporary visual art in a variety of ways. In addition to gifting artworks to galleries and public institutions across Wales, CASW also organises a wide range of activities and initiatives, including:
- Public Talks: Open events featuring artists and art specialists, delivered both in person and online.
- Awards: CASW presents an annual Student Award to postgraduate art students studying in Wales. Since 2014, it has sponsored the CASW National Eisteddfod Prize, supports the biennial Artes Mundi prize, and, from 2024, supports early-career artists through the Hibbard Prize.
- Support for Venice Biennale Participation: CASW contributes to Wales’ presence at the Venice Biennale, including initiatives that enable young people to gain experience as curators.
- Exhibitions: Occasional exhibitions drawn from CASW’s distributed collection, such as the exhibition marking its 80th anniversary.
- Talks and Study Tours for Members: Regular talks for members by artists and specialists, as well as study visits to galleries and exhibitions across Wales, the UK, and internationally — including tours to Europe, Russia, and the USA.
- Publicity for Artist Members: CASW promotes exhibitions by individual artist members of the society, helping to increase their visibility and engagement with the public.