Our society was founded in 1973 as Dulwich Decorative & Fine Arts Society to promote interest in the decorative and fine arts in Dulwich and surrounding areas. Our name changed to The Arts Society Dulwich in May 2017. We are affiliated to The Arts Society (formerly The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies, or NADFAS), an arts-based charity. There are 387 societies mainly in the UK but also in Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The Arts Society defines the decorative and fine arts as "The study of the history, social history, techniques and materials, design and manufacture and collections of architecture, painting, prints, sculpture, textiles, furniture, furnishings, costume, glass and ceramics, enamel, metalwork, garden design and installation art; as well as the lives and influences of the artists, architects, craftsmen and patrons involved. Music, theatre and literature can play an important part in illustrating art."
The Arts Society is keen to promote interest in the arts among the young. In the Dulwich area we consider this best carried out by the excellent education department at Dulwich Picture Gallery.
We celebrated our 50th anniversary with a party in June 2023 - see the photos!