Royal Academy of Arts

Among the various London attraction a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts will be a mesmerizing experience. The Royal Academy was founded by George III in 1768. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate. The Academy is an independent institution. Even today the Royal Academy continues to aspire, in the words of its eighteenth century founders, ‘to promote the arts of design’, that is: to present a broad range of visual art to the widest possible audience; to stimulate debate, understanding and creation through education; and to provide a focus for the interests of artists and art lovers. It is a major London tourist destination visited by millions of tourists. Our London day tour will help you to see all these attractions.

The Royal Academy organizes a number of events such as :

Summer Exhibition:

One of the founding principles of the RA was to 'mount an annual exhibition open to all artists of distinguished merit' to finance the training of young artists in the RA Schools. Now known as Summer Exhibition, is the world’s largest open submission contemporary art exhibition. The theme of the Summer Exhibition this year is ‘Raw’.  Now in its 242nd year, the exhibition continues the tradition of showcasing work by both emerging and established artists in all media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film and held every year without interruption since 1769, the exhibition attracts around 10,000 works, the selection being carried out by Academicians chaired by the President.

Exhibitions:

The Royal Academy continues to fulfill its founders’ aims by mounting a continuous programme of internationally-acclaimed loan exhibitions, supported by extensive education programmes, seminars and debates. The Main Galleries and The Sackler Wing of Galleries host a variety of major exhibitions from all periods and art forms. 

Collections and Library:

The Royal Academy owns a major collection of works by Royal Academicians past and present together with the oldest and one of the best fine art libraries in Britain. The Collection has received outstanding bequests such as the Michelangelo Tondo on display in the Sackler Wing of Galleries. The collection focuses on British art and artists and predominantly ranges from the 18th century to the present day. Highlights in the collection of paintings and sculpture include major works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Alma-Tadema, Flaxman, Millais, Leighton, Waterhouse and more. The Academy's art school (it is known as 'The Schools' because each 'School' originally corresponded to a different element in the training of the artists that had to be mastered in a particular order) is the oldest in Britain.

Royal Academy of Arts Research Library

Established at the time of the Academy’s foundation in 1768 to serve the needs of the Members of the Royal Academy and students in its Schools, the Royal Academy of Arts Library is the oldest institutional fine arts library in the United Kingdom. In addition to this the also have Educative and Architecture Programmes. The Royal Academy Architecture Programme explores architecture’s place within contemporary culture. As an integral part of the Royal Academy, an independent institution for making, exhibiting and debating the visual arts, it provides a distinctive environment for debate on architecture.

The Royal Academy Schools

The Royal Academy Schools is an independent establishment that offers the only three-year, full-time postgraduate course in the UK. As the country’s oldest art school, it has a strong sense of identity, tradition and community, having developed continuously since its foundation with the Royal Academy in 1768. It is regarded throughout the world as a centre of excellence. They also conducts evening talks, lectures, workshops courses , symposia and tours , family workshops etc. Royal Academy School is also one beautiful things to do in London for children in family London Sightseeing Tour.  Eager to see all this then book your London attractions tickets with the Sights and sounds of London.

Visitor information:

Royal Academy of Arts opening times 

Please note: The RA will close early (1pm) on Wednesday 9 June