The Royal Academy is a unique organisation. It is an independent fine arts institution with a long and prestigious history which strives to both support contemporary artists and promote interest in the work of past masters. Our work in education, both in our dedication to school parties and education and our own Arts Schools , ensures that the skills and knowledge of today's most talented artists are passed on to the next generation. The RA is completely autonomous, politically independent and self-funding, receiving no local or central government grants, and supported entirely by private sponsorship . The RA is governed by its Members, the Royal Academicians , who are all eminent practising painters, printmakers, sculptors or architects.
Membership is open to any artist active professionally in the United Kingdom.
The RA is the only organisation with such a long and prestigious history as a centre of artistic excellence, being the oldest fine arts institution in Britain. It has been at the heart of the country's cultural life since it was founded in 1768, with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first President. The RA is famous for its Summer Exhibition , a hugely popular show of contemporary art held every year since 1769. It is renowned too for its many major loan exhibitions , which are acclaimed both here and abroad. Today our exhibitions attract more than a million people each year, putting the RA among the top ten attractions for paying visitors in London.