The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent fine arts institution
which supports contemporary artists and promotes interest in
the arts through a comprehensive and ambitious exhibition programme.
Our education work, and the Royal Academy Schools, ensure that
the skills and knowledge of today's most talented artists are
passed on to the next generation.
The Royal Academy is completely autonomous, politically independent
and self-funding. It is supported by private sponsorship.
Their Friends organisation - the third largest in the world
- numbers more than 85,000 members.
The Royal Academy is governed by the Royal Academicians, who
are all eminent practising painters, printmakers, sculptors
and architects. There are 80 Academicians, who are elected
to one of the following categories: painting, sculpture and
architecture. Membership is open to any artist who is professionally
active in the United Kingdom.
The Royal Academy is the only organisation with such a long
and prestigious history as a centre of artistic excellence
in the United Kingdom. They have been at the heart of cultural
life since our foundation in 1768, with Sir Joshua Reynolds
as our first President.
The Royal Academy's famous Summer Exhibition is a hugely
popular show of contemporary art held every year since 1769.
They are also renowned for our many major loan exhibitions,
which are acclaimed both here and abroad.
Today their exhibitions attract more than a million people
each year, putting the Royal Academy among the top ten attractions
for paying visitors in London. 'Monet in the 20th Century',
which ran from January to April 1999, attracted over 800,000
visitors, making it the most successful Impressionist exhibition
in the world, and the most highly attended exhibition in Britain
of any kind.
The Royal Academy's home is Burlington House, a magnificent
listed building in the West End of London.
Opening Timings
Daily: 10:00 - 18:00
Fri: 10:00 - 22:00
Directions
By Tube: Green Park, Piccadilly Circus,
By Rail: Charing Cross
By Bus: 8, 9 , 14, 15, 22, 38
Contact Info
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London
W1V 0DS
