Royal Academy

Royal Academy
Name	Royal Academy
Formation	1768
Founder	King George III, Joshua Reynolds
Type	Charitable organization
Headquarters	Burlington House, Piccadilly, London
Key people	Rebecca Salter (President)

Royal Academy. The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects, dedicated to promoting the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts. Founded in 1768 through the personal initiative of King George III and its first president, the painter Joshua Reynolds, it has operated continuously from its home in Burlington House on Piccadilly since 1868. The Academy is renowned for its world-class exhibitions, its historic Summer Exhibition, and for running Britain's oldest art school, fostering generations of artistic talent.

History

The institution was formally founded on 10 December 1768 after a petition was presented to King George III by a group of 36 artists and architects, including Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and William Chambers. Its first home was in cramped quarters at Somerset House on The Strand, where it established its annual exhibition and a school of art. Under Reynolds's leadership, articulated in his influential Discourses on Art, it championed the Grand Manner of history painting. In the early 19th century, it faced criticism from emerging movements like the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which rebelled against its conservative teachings. A pivotal move occurred in 1868 when it secured a 999-year lease on Burlington House, providing a permanent and prestigious base. The 20th century saw periods of both traditionalism and modernization, with presidents like John Everett Millais and later Anish Kapoor reflecting its evolving artistic scope.

Organization and governance

The Academy is governed by its members, known as Royal Academicians, who are practicing painters, sculptors, printmakers, draughtsmen, and architects elected by their peers. The ruling council is chaired by the President, an office first held by Joshua Reynolds and currently by Rebecca Salter. Key administrative roles include the Keeper, who traditionally oversaw the Royal Academy Schools, and the Treasurer. As a charitable organization, it operates without direct government funding, relying on exhibition income, donations, and its commercial arm, Royal Academy Enterprises Limited. Major strategic decisions and the election of new members are vested in the General Assembly of Academicians, ensuring it remains artist-led.

Activities and programmes

Its core public activity is a programme of major loan exhibitions, covering historical masters from Leonardo da Vinci to Vincent van Gogh and contemporary artists. The annual, open-submission Summer Exhibition has been held since 1769, providing a unique snapshot of current British art. The Royal Academy Schools offer a three-year postgraduate programme, with a distinguished list of alumni including J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and Tracey Emin. A vibrant public programme of lectures, debates, and workshops is held, alongside prestigious awards like the Turner Medal and the annual Charles Wollaston Award.

Notable members and associates

Founding members included the portraitist Thomas Gainsborough and the architect William Chambers. Later elected painters encompass figures from J.M.W. Turner and John Constable to David Hockney and Lubaina Himid. Renowned sculptor members have included Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Antony Gormley. Distinguished architect Academicians range from Norman Foster to Zaha Hadid. The category of Honorary Academician has included international artists such as Pablo Picasso, Anselm Kiefer, and Cecily Brown. Past influential presidents include the Romantic painter Benjamin West and the sculptor Edwin Lutyens.

Premises and collections

The Academy's main home is the historic Burlington House on Piccadilly, where it shares the courtyard with learned societies like the Royal Society of Chemistry. The site includes the grand John Madejski Fine Rooms for display of its permanent collection. A major expansion was completed in 2018 with the opening of The Dorfman Senate Rooms and new galleries in the adjacent Burlington Gardens building, formerly home to the Museum of Mankind. Its collections, formed through gifts and diploma works from members, include treasures such as Michelangelo's Taddei Tondo, a preparatory cartoon by Leonardo da Vinci, and seminal works by John Constable and J.M.W. Turner.

Influence and legacy

For over 250 years, it has played a central role in shaping the trajectory of British art, from establishing professional artistic status in the 18th century to providing a contested but vital platform for modern art. Its Summer Exhibition remains a unique barometer of artistic trends. The pedagogy of the Royal Academy Schools has influenced art education globally. While sometimes criticized for conservatism, its exhibitions, from the seminal Post-Impressionism show of 1910 to recent retrospectives, have profoundly impacted public taste. It stands as a key institution in the cultural landscape of London, alongside neighbours like the National Gallery and the Royal Court.

Category:Art organizations based in London Category:National academies of arts Category:Organizations established in 1768