The Academy was founded by George III in 1768. The 34 founding Members were a group of prominent artists and architects including Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir William Chambers who were determined to achieve professional standing for British art and architecture. They also wanted to provide a venue for exhibitions that would be open to the public; and to establish a school of art through which their skills and knowledge could be passed to future generations of practitioners.
The Academy today 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.
Opening information
Open 9 - 6pm Monday to Thursday. Open until 10pm on Fridays.
Temporary exhibitions
David Hockney: A Bigger Picture
In January 2012 the Royal Academy of Arts will showcase the first major exhibition of new landscape works by David Hockney RA.
David Hockney: A Bigger Picture21st January 2012 - 9th April 2012 (Add to calendar)
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Map
Contact information
- Website
- www.royalacademy.org.uk
- Address
- Piccadilly
London
W1J 0BD
United Kingdom - Phone
- +44(0)2073008000
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Wallace Collection
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Tate Britain
The home of British Art from 1500 to the present day.
