The Kandyan Art Association was formed in 1882 with the mission of uplifting traditional crafts of the Kandyan districts by providing regular work to those employed in these crafts and a platform for the sale of products. In 1919 the KAA was incorporated as a public trust, and is now administered by the Government Agent of Kandy district and the committee of management. From its inception, the mai
n strength of the KAA has been that it deals directly with traditional craftsman, through this high quality standards are maintained while the profits go straight to the creators of the goods and not middlemen. The fixed (and affordable) prices, and the extensive collection of craft items featuring authentic Kandyan designs, all housed in the historic KAA building, makes it an ideal stop over for the serious collector and the souvenir hunter. On the spacious verandas of the historic building, the demonstrating room gives a valuable insight into how these traditional craft works are created. Veteran craftsmen and women demonstrate the age old skills and techniques passed from generation to generation, that go into creating these masterworks. For the visitor hoping to experience the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan dance traditions, the daily cultural show at the Kandyan cultural center is a feast of color and spectacle. With a rich history of over a hundred and twenty years, and a continuing dedication to promoting the traditional crafts of a bygone age, the KAA remains a valuable stop over for any traveler visiting Kandy.
