Due to the ongoing circumstances surrounding coronavirus, we regret to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s RA Festival of Ideas. If you have purchased tickets to an event, please contact us on 0207 300 8090 or tickets@royalacademy.org.uk to arrange a refund.

The Royal Academy of Arts has always been a place of passionate debate. Many ideas that shaped British art began here. Today, the conversation is moving into ever-more challenging, provocative territories – but we have no intention of shying away.

Returning for a third year this April, the Festival of Ideas brings together practitioners and innovators from the creative world to discuss their artistic practice and share ideas on the cultural, social, environmental and political themes of our time.

Previous speakers range from world-famous artists and musicians to film and theatre makers, museum directors, activists, writers, poets, authors and illustrators. Visit our iTunes, Spotify or SoundCloud channels to listen to past speakers including Don McCullin, Es Devlin, Paul Smith, Elif Shafak, Neil Tennant and Tamara Rojo.

All Festival of Ideas ticket holders receive 10% discount on food and drink in the Poster Bar and Senate Room Restaurant, as well as a 15% discount on RA Shop products.

The Festival of Ideas discount is not valid on sale products, limited edition and limited availability products, gift vouchers, custom prints, Epic Posters by Surface View, Friends memberships, alcohol, glassware, stamps, RA Magazines, non-RA publication and Art Sales. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.