History of The Canterbury Society of Arts, est 1880 Opening of the Gloucester Street Gallery 1968 CSA Working Members, 1907 Opening of the Gloucester Street Gallery 1968 CSA Working Members, 1907 1881: First exhibition held by Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA). Exhibited were 115 works, prominent artists included John Madden, E F Temple, John Gibb. This exhibition was a critical success. 1882: Establishment of the Canterbury College of Art. 1883: A permanent collection was established by CSA. 1889: A Break-away group of artists amongst them W M Gibb, J Madden, from the CSA formed "the Pallet Club".

This school of artists encouraged new methodologies in artistic production and lead to a greater output of quality art in the Canterbury region. Construction of the Society's first public gallery the Durham Street Gallery; architect B W Mountfort. Expansion of Durham Street Gallery to include more gallery space, kitchen, smoking room and teaching facilities. First major international exhibition of touring works from Europe. 1914 - 1918: World War I.Growth of realism in art as evidenced by artists such as Raymond McIntyre, Sydney Thompson and Robert Proctor.

1927: "The Group" School of Artists is established. As with "the Pallet Club" this school of artists operated outside the CSA's umbrella, but maintained close contact with the Society.Artists included Evelyn Page, Rhona Hazard and Elizabeth Kelly.

1930: Construction commences of the new Gallery;architect Edward W Armstrong.

1931: Construction of new Gallery completed. Controversy over Frances Hodgkins painting purchased by CSA

1950s: Canterbury Province Centennial Exhibition. 119 artists were represented, 287 works were exhibited.

1956: CSA joined the Association of New Zealand Art Societies. The CSA held it's First Spring Exhibition.

1958: Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to the Robert McDougall Gallery. 1963: McCahon / Wollaston Retrospective Exhibition.

1967: Construction begins of another new art gallery at 66 Gloucester Street, architects, Minson, Henning Hanson and Dines .

1968: New gallery officially opened by Governor-General Sir Arthur Porritt and named "The Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery and Exhibition Centre" (the CSA Gallery). Inaugural exhibition at the new Gallery included works by S Nolan "Riverbed Panels" and Rodin sculpture.First Summer Exhibition held by CSA.

1973: Additions to CSA Gallery for art classes, storage areas, service space and print gallery. Late 1970s: Establishment of the Canaday Trust Fund. 1980: Celebration of the Centenary of the CSA.

1986: Further additions to Gloucester Street site; including stock racks, selling gallery, director's office, and kitchen facilities.

1995: Sale of the CSA permanent collection to the City of Christchurch. This money enabled CSA to further refurbish the Gallery at 66 Gloucester Street.

1996: Extensive refurbishment and redevelopment of the CSA Gallery. Renaming of the CSA Gallery to The Centre of Contemporary Art (or COCA). This rebranding was done by CSA to better encapsulate the aims of CSA in a new century much as the original members had done some 120 years ago.

2000: Opening of the "Art Zone", a gallery dedicated to show art produced by young people aged 5-15. COCA in the new millenium strives to fufill the wishes of the orginal members; "To promote the study, practise, and cultivation of the fine arts in New Zealand and to encourage the production of works of art for periodical exhibitions in Christchurch"