Cass Art Supports The Big Draw

Image: Paul and Bruno Cass(irer) at Die Berliner Kunstsalon, Berlin in the late 20th Century

We are delighted to announce Cass Art as our new sponsors.

As Cass Art celebrates 100 years of patronage of the arts, we are delighted to announce their sponsorship of The Big Draw's work to increase access to art for all ages and to promote visual literacy and the universal language of drawing, in the twenty-first century.

Commenting on the announcement, Kate Mason, Director of The Big Draw said:

"We live in an increasingly tumultuous period of history and rapid change which, whilst presenting challenges, also offers immense opportunity.

Against this backdrop of change lies a consideration of shifting social values; a questioning of entitlement, access and the nature of - and central role of - creativity in our contemporary culture.

Perhaps more than ever the arts have the potential to play a major role in helping drive social change and re-balance an ecology which currently undervalues cultural learning and arts education.

The Big Draw will continue to advocate for the importance and value of creative education and work to support the next generation of artists, designers, innovators and creative thinkers.

With all the above in mind, we are delighted to announce Cass Art as our new partner and sponsor. Cass Art share our passion in supporting arts education and our core values around advocacy, quality and the right for everyone to be able to express oneself creatively.

We are looking forward to what we know will be a fruitful and dynamic partnership."

Kate's comments were echoed by Mark Cass, Founder of Cass Art, who said:

"Cass Art is delighted to announce its support as a new sponsor and partner for The Big Draw. The Cass Family have a long history and track record in supporting artists and have always been passionate advocates in supporting art education.

At a time when the artsm as one of the key pillars of a broad and balanced schooling, is increasingly under threat, from a beleaguered education system, those with aligned values and beliefs must all work together and collaborate to stimulate change.

Cass Art look forward to exploring ways and synergies between it's art manifesto, ‘Let’s Fill This Town With Artists’, alongside The Big Draw’s #drawingchangeslives campaign and imminent manifesto around the role and value of drawing."

A Brief Introduction to Cass Art

Cass Art was founded by Mark in 1984 when he took over the lease of 13 Charing Cross Road. Situated next to The National Gallery, it has been an art store for over 100 years, first opening its doors to artists in 1898.

Mark wanted Cass Art to be more than just an art materials supplier. He began reaching out to emerging artists, photographers and suppliers to develop their creativity and exposure.

As more stores opened across London, Cass Art was united with a new art manifesto – 'Let’s Fill This Town With Artists’. Taking inspiration from artist manifestos and movements from across the globe, the seven points of the Cass Art Manifesto underpins the company’s longstanding support of artists, championed under the headline statement ‘Let’s Fill This Town With Artists’.

All their staff are artists. Cass Art are proud to have over 140 staff artists working across the business, from the store floor to head office, to bring their customers intelligent, thoughtful advice based on their own experience and interest in the materials they sell.

Since the launch of their second London store in Kensington in 2001, Cass Art has grown to 11 stores across the UK as well as an online website. For over 30 years, they are on a mission to fill this country (its cities, towns and villages) with artists.

Supporting Artists Across the UK

On a grass roots level, Cass Art encourages all artists within the local community to collaborate and realise their ideas.

There are four, free, dedicated art spaces available for local artists to host exhibitions, events and workshops throughout the year. Located in the Liverpool, Kingston and Glasgow stores, and most recently, a new art space in their Islington flagship. Each space supports a wealth of creative activities; from artist talks and demos to workshops and limited edition artworks.

Supporting Art Education

Cass Art has supported schools, colleges and universities for a breadth of creative endeavours. From providing materials and opportunities for students, to grants, sponsorship and funding of the institutions themselves, continuing creativity in schools is at the heart of everything they do.

Making Art in Schools is invaluable to a balanced education. Cass Art will continue to fight for creative education and will empower artist educators, students, parents and partnerships to stand up for children’s creativity.

Working closely with the Sorrell Foundation, Cass Art have worked with over 10,000 young people across the UK on a range of programmes, uniting tutors and students with a breadth of professional designers, artists and architects.