The society has approximately 800 members and is affiliated to The Arts Society, a UK arts-based charity, whose central aim is the advancement of arts education.

EDFAS offers members visits, study days & tours, often gaining access to houses, collections or experts not normally available to the public. There are also opportunities to volunteer and to produce Trails of Discovery in libraries, museums, art galleries and historic houses.

Annual subscriptions(single £55, double £95 per annum) fund ten high quality lectures per year, while members pay for events, study days & tours.

EDFAS supports a variety of arts-based charities in the city.