The Royal Academy of Arts — Britain's First Art School and Gallery

The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is located in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. Founded in December 1768 under King George III, it uniquely combined Britain's first state-sanctioned art school (RA Schools) with public exhibition galleries. Its central location is a 3-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus or Green Park tube stations, surrounded by cultural landmarks like Burlington Arcade and Mayfair galleries. In 2018, a major renovation by David Chipperfield connected Burlington House with the Burlington Gardens building, significantly improving visitor flow and expanding exhibition spaces.

The RA's establishment addressed the 18th-century need for an official art school and artist-managed exhibition venue. Sir Joshua Reynolds, its first President, laid the foundation for the RA Schools' educational philosophy. The institution is governed by its members, currently 80 Royal Academicians and 20 Honorary Academicians, including historical figures like J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, and contemporary artists such as David Hockney and Antony Gormley. These members actively shape the Academy's direction and programs.

Historic Exhibitions and Notable Collections

The RA is home to the world's longest-running annual art exhibition, the Summer Exhibition, held continuously since 1769 from June to August. This open-submission show features approximately 1,200 works selected by RA members. Beyond this tradition, the Academy hosts three to four major international touring exhibitions annually, attracting large audiences with shows like "Monet & Architecture" (2018) and "Picasso on Paper" (2020).

Key to the RA's collection is Michelangelo's marble sculpture, the "Taddei Tondo" (1504–1506), the only publicly displayed Michelangelo marble in the UK, acquired in 1829. The RA also features the RA 100 Infinity Room, a permanent installation opened in 2018, showcasing 360-degree displays of portraits of past and present Royal Academicians, visually narrating the institution's history and community. The RA Schools also holds its annual Degree Show in late June, a crucial event for discovering emerging British artists.

Visiting Information

The Royal Academy's permanent galleries offer free admission, while special exhibitions are ticketed (approx. £22 for adults). Operating hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 9:00 PM on Fridays. The Academy is closed on Mondays. A visit of 2 to 3 hours is recommended. Its convenient location near Piccadilly Circus and Green Park tube stations makes it easily accessible. Nearby attractions include Burlington Arcade and the Mayfair gallery district.