Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts. Founded in 1768 under the patronage of King George III, it is Britain's oldest fine arts institution. Its mission, articulated by first president Sir Joshua Reynolds, was to promote the arts through education and exhibition. Governed by its members, known as Royal Academicians, it operates independently without state funding.

History

The institution was established by a group of 36 artists and architects, including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and Sir William Chambers, who secured a Royal Charter from King George III. Its first home was in cramped quarters at Pall Mall before moving to the purpose-built Somerset House in 1771. The 19th century saw its influence peak with the annual Summer Exhibition becoming a pivotal event in the London art world, though it faced criticism for conservatism from groups like the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. It relocated to its current main home, Burlington House, in 1868. The 20th and 21st centuries have been marked by expansion, including the 2018 opening of the Burlington Gardens site after a major renovation by architect Sir David Chipperfield.

Organisation and governance

The Academy is a unique, artist-led organisation governed by its practicing artist and architect members, the Royal Academicians. The ruling council is headed by the president, a position first held by Sir Joshua Reynolds and currently by Rebecca Salter. Key administrative roles include the keeper, responsible for the Royal Academy Schools, and the treasurer. It operates as a private institution, relying on revenue from exhibitions, its commercial arm Royal Academy Enterprises Limited, and donations rather than government subsidy, a principle maintained since its founding. Major decisions and the election of new Academicians are made by the entire assembly of RAs.

Activities and programmes

Its core activities are the annual, open-submission Summer Exhibition and the operation of the Royal Academy Schools, Britain's oldest art school. The RA stages a renowned programme of temporary exhibitions, spanning historical surveys of artists like J.M.W. Turner and Leonardo da Vinci to major contemporary shows. Public engagement is furthered through lectures, the Architecture Programme, and family workshops. Publishing is also significant, with catalogues and the long-running *Royal Academy of Arts Magazine*. Commercial activities are managed through its shop and restaurant venues.

Buildings and premises

Its principal building is Burlington House on Piccadilly, a Palladian mansion it shares with several learned societies. The 19th-century interiors include the John Madejski Fine Rooms and the large Main Galleries. In 2018, it expanded into the adjacent former home of the Museum of Mankind at 6 Burlington Gardens, connected via a new bridge dubbed the "Senate Room". This expansion, known as the Burlington Gardens site, added exhibition space, the Dorfman Senate Room for lectures, and improved facilities for the Royal Academy Schools.

Notable members and associates

Founding members included seminal figures like Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and architect Sir William Chambers. Later luminaries elected as Royal Academicians encompass J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Edwin Landseer, and Lord Leighton. Modern and contemporary members have included Sir Stanley Spencer, Barbara Hepworth, Sir David Hockney, Tracey Emin, and architect Sir Norman Foster. Associates, a precursor to full membership, have included Auguste Rodin and John Everett Millais. The position of professor of poetry has been held by figures such as John Betjeman.

Collections and exhibitions

The Academy holds a significant collection founded on mandatory deposits from members, known as Diploma Works, including treasures like Michelangelo's *Taddei Tondo*. Its holdings feature major works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Constable, alongside a vast archive of historical documents. It is renowned for blockbuster exhibitions, from early shows of Old Masters to defining surveys of Post-Impressionism, Pop art, and solo presentations for artists from Francis Bacon to Marina Abramović. The Summer Exhibition remains a unique display of contemporary art, curated annually by a rotating committee of Academicians. Category:Art museums and galleries in London Category:Art schools in England Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster Category:Organisations based in London with royal patronage Category:1768 establishments in Great Britain