Contemporary Art Society

The Contemporary Art Society champions the collecting of outstanding contemporary art and craft for public collections in the UK. Over 10,500 works of fine art and craft have been donated to public collections since its foundation in 1910. 

From renowned figures of 20th-century art such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon and David Hockney, to the YBAs and stars of the 21st century such as John Akomfrah and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, the Contemporary Art Society has an extraordinary track record of outstanding purchasing. 

Cathy has supported the acquisition of sculptures in five North West Museums (Manchester City Art Gallery, Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester; Grundy in Blackpool, Walker Art Gallery and Victoria Gallery both in Liverpool) including works by Helen Marten, Brian Griffiths and Haroon Mirza between 2013 and 2017.

Currently, she supports a partnership with the Henry Moore Foundation. Started in 2018, the ongoing scheme supports Yorkshire as the UK centre of sculpture, with either The Hepworth Wakefield or Leeds Art Gallery receiving a major work by a living artist each year. So far acquisitions have included Philidda Barlow, Michael Dean, Stephen Claydon, Magali Reus, Elmira Alrai, Ro Robertson.