About the RA
For 250 years, the RA has existed to champion art and artists. This year, we've opened up our newly expanded campus with free displays, new spots to eat, drink and shop, and much more.
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The New RA
Now open
To celebrate our 250th anniversary, we’ve unveiled our newly expanded campus, with more space than ever before to make, debate and exhibit art.
The new RA has a link between our Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens galleries for the first time, a new lecture theatre, and an expanded RA Schools giving our students more space to create. Take a look at what’s new about the new RA…
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Video: the story of the RA
Our Artistic Director Tim Marlow narrates a short video introduction to the Royal Academy of Arts from 1768 to today.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 access programme tailors events for people with certain accessibility requirements, organising talks in BSL and tours for mobility impaired visitors. We invite families to join us at workshops and talks specially designed for younger visitors, or pick up Art Detectives packs in our galleries to help children engage with the art they see. We also work with specific community groups through initiatives like our Art Club, which welcomes those experiencing homelessness to creative sessions at the RA.
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Our 2016-2017 year in review
Digital report
In 2016-2017, preparations for the RA’s 250th birthday were in full swing. Scroll through the year’s biggest stories and highlights from across the Academy in this interactive digital report.
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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 2016/17 Annual Report
Down load our 2016/17 Accounts
Download our 2016/17 Friends of the RA Accounts
Download our 2016/17 Friends of the RA Accounts
Download our 2015/16 Annual Report
Download our 2015/16 Accounts
Download our 2014/15 Annual Report
Download our 2014/15 Accounts
Download our 2013/14 Annual Report
Download our 2013/14 Accounts
Download our 2012/13 Annual Report
Download our 2012/13 Accounts
Download our 2011/12 Annual Report
Download our 2011/12 Accounts
We also report on our Gender Pay Gap.
Download our 2017 Gender Pay Gap statistics.
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