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.

Our ambition over the next five years is to deliver a financially sound, culturally and educationally renowned and environmentally sustainable RA.

Download the Royal Academy of Arts Strategy 2023–2028.

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.

The RA is committed to becoming a truly inclusive place for our visitors, Friends, artists, and all those who work, study and volunteer at the RA. We believe that everyone should be able share in and contribute to the RA experience, free from bias or discrimination based on personal characteristics such as age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership, or pregnancy.

The RA aims to ensure that these principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal access apply to all aspects of our operations. We recognise that upholding these principles benefits both visitors and the people who work with and for us.

Please read our statement for information about our work towards race equity.

Please read our statement to find out more about RA and Pride.

We are committed to:
● ensuring that the environments and experiences we offer – both onsite and online – are accessible, inclusive, and representative of diverse cultural and personal experience
● recruiting and developing a diverse workforce at all levels
● establishing and maintaining appropriate policies and procedures in relation to equality, diversity, and inclusion
● acting in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

For information about facilities, resources, and programmes for disabled visitors please click here.