Fostering Arts and Design
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFAD is a Barcelona-based non-profit association promoting design culture through five discipline associations, awards, and a materials centre.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Fostering Arts and Design (FAD), known in Catalan as Foment de les Arts i del Disseny and in Spanish as Fomento de las Artes y del Diseño, is a Barcelona-based non-profit association dedicated to the promotion of design culture. It traces its origins to the Centre d'Arts Decoratives de Barcelona (1892–1897) and was formally founded on 15 March 1903 at the Centre Industrial de Catalunya in Barcelona as a professional association of artisans and decorative artists. Its first president was the architect Manuel Vega i March. Over more than a century it evolved from an organisation focused on decorative arts into a multidisciplinary design institution. Today FAD is composed of five associations representing different design disciplines: ADI-FAD (industrial design), ADG-FAD (graphic design and visual communication), ARQUIN-FAD (architecture and interior design), A-FAD (art and craft), and MODA-FAD (fashion and image). It also operates a materials centre. Its headquarters are located in the Disseny Hub Barcelona, where it moved in 2013. FAD is widely known for the awards it organises, including the Premis FAD d'Arquitectura i Interiorisme (established in 1958 on the initiative of Oriol Bohigas), the Delta Awards for industrial design, the Laus Awards for graphic design and visual communication, the FAD Sebastià Gasch Awards for paratheatrical arts, the City to City Barcelona FAD Award, the Enjoia't Awards for contemporary jewellery, the ARTFAD Awards for art and craft, and the MODAFAD Awards for young fashion designers. These prizes have become benchmarks of professional excellence in Spain and beyond. The organisation has played a significant role in Barcelona's cultural life, participating in international events such as the 1923 International Exhibition of Furniture and Interior Decoration, the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries in Paris, the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, and the Milan Triennale. It was also active in the creation of the Escola Massana in 1929. In 2003 it celebrated its centenary with the "Year of Design", and in 2006 it changed its historical name from Fomento de las Artes Decorativas to its current name.
History
FAD is the heir to the Centre d'Arts Decoratives de Barcelona (1892–1897). It was founded on 15 March 1903 at the Centre Industrial de Catalunya in Barcelona as a professional association of artisans and decorative artists. The architect Manuel Vega i March was its first president. Its first headquarters, shared with the Centre Industrial de Catalunya, was at Carrer Hospital, 95. In 1907 it moved to the premises of Foment del Treball Nacional on Portal de l'Àngel. It subsequently occupied several locations: Carrer Montsió, 5 (1910–1924), Casa de los Canónigos (1924–1928), Casa de l'Ardiaca (1928–1929), and Carrer Avinyó, 30 (1929–1936). During the 1920s the entity began to expand, participating in major international events such as the International Exhibition of Furniture and Interior Decoration (Barcelona, 1923), the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries (Paris, 1925), the Barcelona International Exposition (1929), and the Milan Triennale. In this period FAD played an active role in the creation of the Escola Massana, established in 1929 as the Municipal Conservatory of Sumptuary Arts and Artistic Crafts; FAD was responsible for its direction and hosted it at its headquarters until 1935. In 1936 FAD moved its headquarters to the dome of the Coliseum cinema. After the Spanish Civil War it reoriented its activity from decorative arts towards design, creating the various sections that make it up. In 1956 DP-FAD was created, representing advertising decorators; in 1960 the Association of Industrial Designers ADI-FAD; in 1961 ADG-FAD for art directors, graphic designers, and illustrators; and in 1973 A-FAD, dedicated to craft activities and plastic research. Later others were created, such as Orfebres-FAD (1979), Moda-FAD (1980), AV-FAD (1996), and X-FAD for young creators. In 1970 it moved its headquarters to Carrer Brusi, 45, and in 1999 it settled in the Convent dels Àngels. In 2003 the entity commemorated its centenary with the celebration of the "Year of Design". In 2006 it changed its historical name from Fomento de las Artes Decorativas to the current Foment de les Arts i del Disseny. In 2013 it moved to the new Disseny Hub Barcelona. In 1958, on the initiative of Oriol Bohigas, the prestigious FAD Awards were instituted, presented annually in four categories: architecture, interior design, city and landscape, and ephemeral spaces. Over the years FAD and its different sections have created various awards for professional excellence. Currently the following are awarded: the FAD Awards for Architecture and Interior Design and the Habitácola Awards for architecture and design students (organised by ARQUIN-FAD since 1958); the Delta Awards for industrial design and the ADI Medal Awards for students in the same discipline (ADI-FAD); the Laus Awards for professionals and students of graphic design, advertising, and visual communication (ADG-FAD); the FAD Sebastià Gasch Awards for paratheatrical arts; the City to City Barcelona FAD Award for the best urban initiatives; the Enjoia't Awards for contemporary jewellery (A-FAD); the ARTFAD Awards for art and craft (A-FAD); and the MODAFAD Awards for young fashion designers (MODA-FAD).
- 2013
Moved to new Disseny Hub Barcelona.
- 2006
Changed name from Fomento de las Artes Decorativas to Foment de les Arts i del Disseny.
- 2003
Commemorated centenary with the "Year of Design".
- 1999
Moved to Convent dels Àngels.
- 1996
AV-FAD created.
- 1980
Moda-FAD created.
- 1979
Orfebres-FAD created.
- 1973
A-FAD created, dedicated to craft activities and plastic research.
- 1970
Moved headquarters to Carrer Brusi, 45.
- 1961
ADG-FAD created for art directors, graphic designers, and illustrators.
Products and positioning
A non-profit multidisciplinary design institution and cultural promoter based in Barcelona, known for its prestigious awards and professional associations.
Premis FAD d'Arquitectura i Interiorisme
Annual awards in four categories: architecture, interior design, city and landscape, and ephemeral spaces. Organised by ARQUIN-FAD since 1958.
Premis Habitácola
Awards for architecture and design students, organised by ARQUIN-FAD.
Premis Delta
Industrial design awards organised by ADI-FAD.
Premis Medalla ADI
Awards for industrial design students, organised by ADI-FAD.
Premis Laus
Awards for professionals and students of graphic design, advertising, and visual communication, organised by ADG-FAD.
Premis FAD Sebastià Gasch
Awards for paratheatrical arts.
Premis City to City Barcelona FAD Award
Awards for the best urban initiatives.
Premis Enjoia't
Contemporary jewellery awards organised by A-FAD.
Premis ARTFAD
Art and craft awards organised by A-FAD.
Premis MODAFAD
Awards for young fashion designers, organised by MODA-FAD.
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