Status 

The Arts Society is the operating name of  The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (“NADFAS”). NADFAS is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
The voting members are some 360 local Societies who in turn represent over 60,000 individual members.

It is registered with Companies House (no. 4307984), the Charity Commission (no. 1089743) and the Office of Scottish Charities (no. SC039240).

Charitable Objects

The promotion and advancement of the education of the public in the cultivation, appreciation and study of the decorative and fine arts; the conservation and preservation of the artistic heritage of the United Kingdom and other countries for the benefit of the public; and the advancement of the arts, culture and heritage, in particular, but without limitation, the decorative and fine arts.

APPROACH OF THE BOARD - Strategy: 

• for the first time, engage in marketing activities from the centre to drive new members to societies both in the UK and internationally,
• as part of the above, use the Arts Society Studio to produce digital content, including videos, under The Arts Society brand, that will be available to all members,
• improve the tools, and the access to them, that we provide to societies, particularly for marketing and IT,
• increase the support provided through the Area and National teams for both existing and new societies.

Structure 

The Arts Society is an international organisation supporting around 360 Member Societies in the UK and abroad. 

Member Societies

Each Member Society is run by a volunteer committee that manages the Society's affairs. In turn, Member Societies all belong to a local Area. Areas are run by teams, headed by an Area Chairman who reports to the National Association.

The Trustee Board

The Trustee Board is responsible for leading The Arts Society and decides on matters of policy, strategy and finance, while setting the objectives for the Management Team. It is headed by the National Chairman - assisted by the National Vice-Chairman and Honorary Treasurer. The Board consists of Trustees elected by the membership and supported by additional Trustees co-opted for their skills. No Trustee may serve for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

Area Meetings

Twice a year Society representatives meet to discuss views and raise concerns. The Chair of the Area Support Team (CAST) and their team are also responsible for the pastoral care of the Societies within their Area.

Staff at The Arts Society

The day-to-day running of the Association is administered by a small paid staff, who work closely with volunteers.

AGM

The 2024 AGM took place on Friday 23rd August 2024 at Friends House in London. 
The minutes of the AGM 2024 can be accessed here. 

The 2023 AGM was held on 24th May 2023 at St George's Bristol.  The AGM minutes (AGM 2023) can be found here.