Contemporary Applied Arts (CAA) is a British art gallery and professional membership organisation in London, England. Established in 1948 as the members' selling orgnisation Crafts Centre of Great Britain (CCGB), it was known as the British Crafts Centre from 1972 to 1986.
Five societies cooperated in this enterprise:[1]
The late HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh accepted Presidency in 1953 and provided active support, advice and custom until his death in 2021. He purchased two rugs from Mary Farmer in 1965/6 for his personal collection.[2]
In 1964, the CCGB adopted the Preliminary Proposals for the establishment of a Crafts Council of Great Britain (CCoGB). Cyril Wood was appointed Director of both CCGB and CCoGB, later that year deciding that the CCGB should be closed down. A temporary reprieve at Hay Hill, then saw the CCBG move to Covent Garden in 1966 under the stewardship of the Chairman Graham Hughes.[3]
In 1972 the Crafts Centre and Crafts Council of Great Britain merge forming the British Crafts Centre. The CCGB is not the same organisation as the Crafts Council which was a later renaming of the Crafts Advisory Committee in 1979.[4] Tania Harrod reflected on the first 50 years in 1998[5] At the time of their 75th Anniversary the Crafts Council reflected that the "selected members are professionals rigorously chosen by a panel of their peers. Belonging to CAA is seen as a kitemark of excellence."[6]
As of 2015, the gallery director was Clare Maddison.[7]