Today we’d like to introduce you to Creative Arts Society.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Creative Arts Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began in 1995, when a small group of South Austin artists started gathering to share ideas, encourage one another, and make art together. More than 30 years later, that same spirit is still at the heart of CAS. Today, we are a vibrant community of nearly 100 artists working across many media, including painting, ceramics, fiber arts, photography, digital art, and more.
Our guiding purpose is to promote the development of “the Artist in Everyone.” We believe creativity is not reserved for a select few; it is a universal human spark. CAS exists to nurture that spark by lowering barriers to creating, sharing, and enjoying art. Whether someone is a professional artist, someone who is coming back to an art practice after having stepped away for many years, or a beginner just starting to explore their creative side, there is a place for them here.
Beyond supporting artists directly, we are deeply connected to the Austin community. We partner with local businesses, libraries, and public spaces to bring art into everyday life and create opportunities for artists to exhibit their work. In many ways, CAS reflects Austin itself: creative, welcoming, collaborative, and a little unconventional. Three decades after those first informal gatherings, we are still proving that art can connect people, inspire new perspectives, and build community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many grassroots nonprofits, CAS has not always had a smooth road. We are a volunteer-run organization, which is both one of our greatest strengths and one of our biggest challenges. Every exhibit, workshop, partnership, newsletter, and event depends on members choosing to give their time and energy. That generosity is powerful, but it also means we are always balancing big ambitions with the realities of busy lives and limited volunteer capacity. Recent improvements in IT automation have helped with this tension by reducing administrative burdens, making it easier than ever for members to step in and contribute confidently.
Over the years, we have also experienced the normal growing pains that come with sustaining an organization for more than three decades. Leadership transitions and structural challenges have sometimes tested us, but each challenge has pushed us to become stronger. We have worked to clarify roles, strengthen oversight, improve documentation, and build systems that make CAS more resilient and sustainable.
The larger story is one of persistence. CAS has continued because generation after generation of artists has chosen to show up for one another: exhibiting together, sharing knowledge, mentoring, encouraging, and creating opportunities that would not exist otherwise. That history gives us confidence that CAS can continue serving Austin’s creative community for many years to come.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that often surprises people about Creative Arts Society is how accessible it is. People sometimes assume arts organizations are only for established or professional artists, but CAS is intentionally different. Our members include working professionals making space for art in busy lives, retirees rediscovering a creative passion, and experienced artists who have been creating for decades.
New members often tell us how welcoming CAS feels. Most of our exhibit opportunities are not juried, which means an artist who has never shown their work before may be able to gain that experience relatively quickly. We also help artists learn useful skills, such as how to prepare and present their pieces so they are ready to hang, and we celebrate members’ exhibitions, achievements, and sales through our newsletter and social media channels.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that CAS has quietly sustained one of Austin’s most inclusive and enduring arts communities for more than 30 years. Our strength comes from making art feel less isolated and more connected. At its best, CAS gives artists a place to be seen, supported, and encouraged as they continue developing their creative voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativeartssociety.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeartssociety
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeArtsSociety
