The Latvian Arts and Crafts Society was founded in Leicester on 19 March 1949 by Latvian refugees who came to Britain from DP camps in Germany. Its statutes were adopted on 22 October 1949, with these objectives:

• “While abroad, to keep alive, maintain, cultivate and deepen the traditions of Latvian fine and applied arts.
• To popularize Latvian art among other nationalities.
• To connect Latvian artists and craftspeople in England in one consensual able-bodied unit.
• To establish artistic cooperation and to find opportunities for mutual artistic consultation, as well as opportunities to help spiritually and materially, where the interests of Latvian art require it.
• To maintain interest in Latvian (national) art in the exile community, to initiate and nurture it in young people.”

Imants Laugalis was elected as head of the group. With a break of a few years, he ran it until 2005, when the group was disbanded. During its existence, it was highly active. General meetings were convened once a year. Exhibitions of new works were regularly organized as part of Latvian song festivals, members participated in craft fairs and lotteries to raise funds. "Daiļapgāde" (Art Supply) was established for the sale of handicraft works. The first salon was set up in Leeds, but it did not last long because there was a lack of good work to offer.

In order to unite the artists scattered in throughout Britain, a Ladies' Committee was established, the main task of which was to preserve the message of Latvian life, to create a Latvian home culture, to promote handicrafts, to organize courses and training sessions. The group actively cooperated with the Latvian Welfare Fund (DVF). During the annual meetings of the DVF, the group participated with exhibitions of their works. During the song festivals, they donated their creations to the prize fund for awards to the best and most correct folk costumes and folk dance groups. In June 1974, the group celebrated its 25th anniversary by organizing an extensive exhibition and a competition of new work in Corby.

On 29 October 2005, the general meeting of the group decided to terminate its activities. The funds accumulated during its existence were donated for scholarships to the Vītols Foundation in Latvia, the Occupation Museum in Rīga and to a rural school in Rēzekne district.

There are separate articles about crafts and fine art under the section on Culture.