About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (2024)

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (1)

For over 250 years, the RA has existed to champion art and artists. Enjoy our expanded campus with free displays, new spots to eat, drink and shop, and much more.

On this page

The story of the RA
Who we are
What we do
Our history
Our strategy 2023–2028
Our community
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Annual reporting
Policies

We're run by the Royal Academicians, artists and architects elected by their peers in recognition of their exceptional work. We're home to Britain's longest established art school, the RA Schools. Every year since 1768 we've held an annual Summer Exhibition, the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. We present our collection of art and architecture in free displays throughout our home on Piccadilly. And we put on world-class exhibitions of art from around the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to our galleries each year.

Video: the story of the RA

Find out more about our story with a short video introduction to the Royal Academy of Arts from 1768 to today.

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About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (2)

Who we are

We are an Academy

We have a lot in common with museums and other galleries, but as an Academy, we have a broader role – to promote not just the appreciation and understanding of art, but also its practice.

We are led by artists

Just as our founders intended, we are still led by many of the greatest artists and architects of the day. Each Royal Academician must be a practising artist, elected by their peers in recognition of their work. Our Academicians represent many different perspectives, but we all share a deep commitment to art and a strong belief in the contribution that artists make to the world.

We are an independent charity

Unlike most of our peers, we don't receive revenue funding from the government and so we are reliant upon the support of visitors, donors, sponsors, and the loyal Friends of the Royal Academy to continue our work.

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (3)

What we do

We host exhibitions and events all year round

From ancient sculpture to modern-day masterpieces, we are the original home of the blockbuster exhibition. We stage an annual Summer Exhibition, the world's largest open-submission exhibition. Our events programme opens up the worlds of our exhibitions and helps introduce new audiences to our art and artists.

We have a school of contemporary fine art

We are home to Britain’s longest-established art school, the RA Schools. Our three-year postgraduate course is one of the most competitive in the country, and we're proud to offer free tuition to all who study here.

We're proud custodians of artistic treasures

All Royal Academicians donate one of their artworks to our Collection when elected, creating a treasure trove of British art. You can explore our Collection online, or visit our galleries to see some of it on display.

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (4)

A brief history of the RA

The RA was founded in 1768 by a group of 40 artists and architects who became the first Royal Academicians. The first president was Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose statue now stands outside Burlington House.

Over the past 250 years, we've moved house several times, elected hundreds of new RAs and even survived the Blitz – all while continuing to stage an annual Summer Exhibition, elect new members and champion art and architecture in all its forms. Read our exceptional story here.

Read
About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (5)

Our Strategy 2023–2028

Our ambition over the next five years is to deliver a financially sound, culturally and educationally renowned and environmentally sustainable RA.

Download the Royal Academy of Arts Strategy 2023–2028.

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (6)

Our community

We welcome thousands of different people to our home on Piccadilly every year. We're fortunate to have so many loyal Patrons and Friends, whose support is absolutely crucial to our survival as an independent charity. We also house a private members' club, the Academicians' Room, which hosts parties, film screenings and interviews.

Throughout the year we run events for teachers and students, introducing young people to new artists, artistic processes and architectural ideas. Our communities programme supports adults facing barriers to accessing the arts through tailored workshops, talks and events. We invite families to join us at workshops and talks specially designed for younger visitors.

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (7)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the RA

We are committed to being a truly inclusive place. Find out what we are doing to prioritise equity, diversity and inclusion across the RA, including updates on our commitment to race equity and inclusion, and information about our decolonial research project.

Find out more about equity, diversity and inclusion at the RA

Our annual reporting and accounts

You can find out more detailed information about every aspect of the Royal Academy by reading our annual reports.

Download our 2022/23 Annual Report

Download our 2021/22 Annual Report

Download our 2020/21 Annual Report

Download our 2019/20 Annual Report

Download our 2018/19 Annual Report

Download our 2018/2019 Accounts

Read our reports on our Gender Pay Gap.

Download our 2023 Gender Pay Gap statistics

Download our 2022 Gender Pay Gap statistics

Download our 2021 Gender Pay Gap statistics

Download our 2020 Gender Pay Gap statistics

Download our 2019 Gender Pay Gap statistics

Download our 2018 Gender Pay Gap statistics

You can find out more information about The Friends of the Royal Academy by reading the annual report and financial statements.

The Friends of the Royal Academy is a separate charity with its own trustees, which provides significant support to the work of the Royal Academy.

Download our 2022 – 2023 Friends of the Royal Academy Annual Report

Download our 2021 – 2022 Friends of the Royal Academy Annual Report

Download our 2020 – 2021 Friends of the Royal Academy Annual Report

Download our 2019 – 2020 Friends of the Royal Academy Annual Report

Download our 2018 – 2019 Friends of the Royal Academy Annual Report

Policies

Read our polices on:

Access

Loans Out

Collections Development

Copyright

Terms and Conditions

Privacy

Cookies

Modern Slavery

Responsible Investment

The Royal Academy of Arts is supported by Convene who provide us with a digital board portal to allow us to have secure paperless board meetings.

About the RA | Royal Academy of Arts (2024)

FAQs

What does RA stand for in art? ›

Membership of the Royal Academy is composed of up to 80 practising artists, each elected by ballot of the General Assembly of the Royal Academy, and known individually as Royal Academicians (RA).

What is the acceptance rate for the Royal Academy of Arts London? ›

Royal College of Art acceptance rate is 27.2%. The range of disciplines offered at the Royal College of Arts, London is based on a solid foundation of practice-based research. It integrates STEAM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics - providing a unique and transformative experience.

What is the theme of the 2024 RA summer exhibition? ›

Christopher has chosen four other artists and one art collective to curate the 12 galleries that make up the exhibition. Each year, the exhibition theme is deliberately broad, and open to the curators' interpretations. However, this year, the theme, “Making Space” seems particularly amorphous.

Why is the Royal Academy of art important? ›

Not only was the RA gathering artworks for its artists to study, but also books (mainly on the topic of art). Its library was established along with the rest of the RA in 1768, making it the oldest institutional fine arts library in the UK.

What are the three types of RA? ›

The two main types of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are seropositive and seronegative RA, with juvenile RA being another type that only affects children.

What is RA in simple terms? ›

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that mostly affects joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. The disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints.

Is it hard to get into Academy of Art? ›

Getting into the Academy of Art is not difficult because it has an open admissions policy. This means that the school accepts 100% of applicants. Additionally, the Academy of Art does not require applicants to take entrance exams to be considered for enrollment.

Is the Royal Academy of Arts free entry? ›

Some of our smaller displays are free and it is free to simply come in and enjoy the building. Our larger exhibitions have charged entry with off-peak tickets at quieter times.

What GPA do you need for the Royal College of Art? ›

Royal College of Art in United Kingdom requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 3 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into Royal College of Art. Students must also participate in other activities like sports, lead some projects, community services to improve chances of admission.

How much does it cost to enter the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition? ›

First time entrant? Register now and we'll send you a link to your new account. You can enter one or two works, for a fee of £40 per work, which covers our administration costs.

Is RA open on Sunday? ›

Opening Times

Thursday 10:00 - 18:00. Friday 10:00 - 21:00. Saturday 10:00 - 18:00. Sunday 10:00 - 18:00.

How long is the RA Summer Exhibition? ›

Every Royal Academician on the Summer Show Committee is in charge of a certain gallery area. Members of the committee serve on a rotating basis. During the eight-day display at the galleries, works from all around the world are democratically evaluated based on merit. The final decision is then made.

Who are the famous alumni of the Royal Academy of arts? ›

Meet the Royal Academicians
  • Caragh Thuring RA Elect (b. 1972) Painter. ...
  • Sikelela Owen RA Elect (b. 1984) Painter. ...
  • Helen Sear RA Elect (b. 1955) Printmaker. ...
  • Claudette Johnson RA Elect (b. 1959) Painter. ...
  • Oona Grimes RA Elect (b. 1957) ...
  • Goshka Macuga RA Elect (b. 1967) ...
  • Elsie Owusu RA. Architect. ...
  • Nigel Coates RA (b. 1949)

Who is the head of the Royal Academy of arts? ›

Rebecca Salter PRA is an internationally renowned painter and printmaker. In 2019 she became the first female president of the Royal Academy in history.

What is the number one school of art in the world? ›

Royal College of Art

What does RA stand for? ›

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also affect other organs.

What does RA after a name mean? ›

If someone is a Registered Architect they will have the privilege of placing a suffix after their name of either: RA or AIA. RA is the abbreviation of Registered Architect. All architects registered in the United States can use RA after their name to identify themselves as a Registered Architect.

What is an RA elect? ›

Once elected to the membership, Academicians donate a work that is usually representative of their practice to the Academy's collection. Academicians are formally referred to as “RA Elect” and are not handed their Royal Academy diploma, signed by the sovereign, until they have submitted a diploma work.

What is a royal academician? ›

Members of the Royal Academy of Arts of London, England are known as Royal Academicians. The post-nominal letters RA are used after the Academician's name. Founded in 1768, membership is limited to eighty full members, who may be painters, printmakers, sculptors, or architects, who are professionally active in Britain.

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