About the Summer Exhibition

The largest open submission exhibition in the world

About the Summer Exhibition

What is the Summer Exhibition?

Artists' testimonials

Held without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established artists – and this year's 250th anniversary edition is curated by Grayson Perry.

Running continuously for 250 years, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open submission exhibition – which means that anyone can enter their work to be considered for inclusion. In this celebratory anniversary year, the exhibition will be coordinated by Grayson Perry RA, and will be the biggest in its history, spilling out from the main galleries across our newly expanded cultural campus.

The works in the Summer Exhibition are selected and hung by Royal Academicians – who also exhibit works in the exhibition, creating an eclectic mix of work by established artists alongside emerging talent and first-time exhibitors. In previous years, nearly two thirds of the exhibits were by non-Academicians, £50,000 worth of prizes was awarded and over 5,000 works were sold.

Everything you’ll see at the Summer Exhibition represents what is happening in the art world right now. New and recent art created by everyone from emerging artists to the biggest names in contemporary art and architecture. Now in its 250th year, the Summer Exhibition continues in the tradition of showcasing a variety of work in all media, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film. This must-see exhibition is a unique window onto all areas of the contemporary art world.

Buy tickets for the 250th Summer Exhibition

Buy art from the 250th Summer Exhibition

What is the Summer Exhibition?
- Reynolds, Turner and Constable
  
  At one time the show was known simply as ‘The Exhibition’, where the likes of Gainsborough and Reynolds, Turner and Constable sharpened their skills against each other.
  
  Nowadays, although there’s a plethora of art fairs, commercial galleries and contemporary exhibitions to choose from, the galleries at Burlington House make an unrivalled setting for artists to display and sell their artworks.
- The RA Schools
  
  For all of the works displayed, the artist is the seller of the work and the Academy takes a 30% commission on all ‘Offers to Purchase’, the proceeds going towards the RA Schools and our diverse programme of exhibitions. The array of works and the celebratory atmosphere of the exhibition make for an unique experience where visitors can browse, buy and discuss the works on show.
- The 18th century
  
  In the 18th century all the exhibits were figurative. Hung from dado to cornice, pictures were abutted, tipped towards the viewer and arranged symmetrically. History painting and swagger portraits by the celebrated artists of the day sat on the line (the bottom edge of the exhibit being eight foot from the ground), with smaller pieces below and others by lesser-known artists skied above.
What is the Summer Exhibition?
- From the abstract to the conceptual
  
  Works came in standard sizes, including the ‘Kit-kat’, and were self-contained in obligatory gold frames. Nowadays the show reflects the gamut of contemporary practices, with works by established and emerging artists often being hung side-by-side. Abstract and conceptual works, which often defy regimentation, are in the ascendant, but traditional techniques and genres are still very much in evidence. In recent years densely hung rooms have been interspersed with lighter spaces and galleries have been dedicated to film works, photography, installations and even to a body of work by an individual artist.
- The Summer Exhibition Committee
  
  The members of the Summer Exhibition Committee serve in rotation and convene at monthly meetings to discuss the shape of the show, ensuring that each exhibition has a distinctive character. Each Member is responsible for certain areas and the final selection is made during the eight-day hang. The exhibition is finalised on ‘Sanctioning Day’ when the Committee meets for the last time; beyond this point no changes can be made.
- Non-Member’s Varnishing Day
  
  Non-Member’s Varnishing Day is traditionally the last opportunity for artists to ‘touch up’ their work. Some still take advantage of this privilege, but on the whole the event is a celebratory one. One of the wonderful eccentricities of the Summer Exhibition is the procession down Piccadilly of artists led by a steel band; another element that distinguishes it from any other show in the world.

Since 2005 the Summer Exhibition has been sponsored by

- The Great Spectacle
  
  250 Years of the Summer Exhibition
  
  As well as celebrating the art of today, we’re also looking back at some of the important moments in the history of the Academy and its shows in The Great Spectacle: 250 Years of the Summer Exhibition. See some of the art that’s captured the interest of millions of visitors, in a cultural phenomenon that’s spanned the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, two world wars and the rise of the Young British Artists.
  
  Book now

- 250 years of the Summer Exhibition online
  
  The Chronicle
  
  In celebration of the Royal Academy’s 250th birthday and coinciding with The Great Spectacle exhibition, a new open access publication by the Paul Mellon Centre looks back at 250 years of the Summer Exhibition. Explore 250 years of stories, artworks and data, alongside lively year-by-year essays and a complete set of digitised and searchable Summer Exhibition catalogues.
  
  Explore the Chronicle

- 250th Summer Exhibition
  
  12 June – 19 August 2018
  
  This summer, Grayson Perry RA coordinates the biggest, brightest and most colourful Summer Exhibition yet, in our 250th annual celebration of “art made now”.
  
  There’ll be a monumental sculpture in our courtyard and artworks in an array of mediums throughout our galleries, all handpicked by a committee led by Grayson Perry RA. With over 1,200 works on display, you’ll see art you love, art you hate, art that leaves you thinking and art that simply puts a smile on your face.
  
  Browse and buy artwork from the exhibition online
  
  Book now

The Summer Exhibition 2018 selection and hanging committee

View: Artists Artworks

It's an exhibition selected by artists, hung by artists... we just choose the best art, and try to make sense of it on the walls. It is a truly democratic exhibition.

Norman Ackroyd RA, Summer Exhibition Co-ordinator 2013

The 166th Summer Exhibition, 1934

William Russell Flint RA at work arranging the hanging of watercolours in one of the galleries, April 1934

Artists' testimonials
- Ian Ryan, Pilgrims Progress pt 1.
  
  Acrylic on board. 26 x 25 x 2 cm.
  
  Ian Ryan
  
  “I think my work was successful as it is bold, and confident in both its use of colour and form. I feel that you should always be pushing your practice further, be confident in what you do and don’t be afraid to take risks. Mistakes will happen, but they are all part of the development process.
  
  Your work needs to stand out from the 1000s of other entries. Smaller pieces stand a greater chance of inclusion over larger works. Look at the works that have been included in recent years and use them as a yardstick to compare your own to. Be different or be really at what you do; even better, be both. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying until you do.”
- Anne Gilpin, Drop.
  
  Giclée print. 46 x 38 x 3 cm.
  
  Diana Poliak
  
  “Study, research and resolve, I believe are key factors in the quest for success in getting accepted for the RA Summer Exhibition. Although there are of course no guarantees, plus enormous competition, I feel it is helpful to study the art works in the current show, and records of previous shows.
  
  Also reading the RA magazines, and noting what the Royal Academicians say, both in print and on line in their short videos is beneficial. Most importantly, observe carefully and make notes. Absorb the very essence of the RA Summer Exhibition. Breathe it in. Be inspired.”
- Barry Gowers, Winter sunshine in the trees.
  
  Solar plate etching. 60 x 80 x 4 cm.
  
  Barry Gowers
  
  “I try to approach my art with curiosity, and soak up everything around me. I spend time with as many like-minded fellow artists as I can, sharing creative thinking, learning new techniques, and getting inky together. Printmakers should "see one, do one, teach one”.
  
  I am also tenacious, entering every year – third time lucky. I looked on rejection as a spur to get better and try more ideas. I submitted different-looking works, as you can’t predict the vision of the curators. And it worked. It has made my art better, I think. Thank you RA.“

Photo: John Bodkin/DawkinsColour

Jun	AUG	Nov
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2017	2018	2019

About the Summer Exhibition

The largest open submission exhibition in the world

About the Summer Exhibition

Held without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established artists – and this year's 250th anniversary edition is curated by Grayson Perry.

What is the Summer Exhibition?

Reynolds, Turner and Constable

The RA Schools

The 18th century

What is the Summer Exhibition?

From the abstract to the conceptual

The Summer Exhibition Committee

Non-Member’s Varnishing Day

The Great Spectacle

250 Years of the Summer Exhibition

250 years of the Summer Exhibition online

The Chronicle

250th Summer Exhibition

12 June – 19 August 2018

The Summer Exhibition 2018 selection and hanging committee

It's an exhibition selected by artists, hung by artists... we just choose the best art, and try to make sense of it on the walls. It is a truly democratic exhibition.

Artists' testimonials

Ian Ryan

Diana Poliak

Barry Gowers