Art Galleries in London like the Royal Academy of Arts are RareThere are many art galleries in London, but only one is as well-loved as the Royal Academy of Arts. Located in Burlington House in Piccadilly, it is a huge and beautiful palace and is the nation’s leading art school.
The Royal Academy is an independent, privately funded organization led by artists and architects, which makes it unique. It was founded in 1768 by a prominent group of artists and architects striving to establish professional standing for their occupations and find a venue where they could exhibit to the public. They also wished to establish a school of art through which they could pass their collective knowledge down to the next generation. Members of the academy are all practicing artists and are elected by their peers, and the Academy is governed by a rotating Council of Members. A fundamental part of the Academy’s exhibits is the Summer Exhibition which has been held every year without fail since 1769. It is an art show open to everyone who wants to enter and has attracted nearly 10,000 entries, from the sublime to the ridiculous. The Royal Academy owns a large collection of works by past and present Academicians, as well as one of the oldest and best fine arts libraries in the nation. The Academy also has fulfilled its goal of art education, each year it trains 60 students in part of a unique three-year post-graduate program of art. This program is taught by Academicians and is free of charge to the students. The Royal Academy of Arts Collection focuses on British art from the 18th century to the present. Highlights include sculpture and paintings from Sargent, Spencer, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Millais, Leighton, and Hockney. The temporary exhibitions can be quite interesting, ranging from blockbuster subjects to more obscure themes. There are also outdoor sculptures on display in front of the building that change frequently. Visiting the collections can be quite enjoyable, Burlington House itself is worth the trip, but you are sure to enjoy wandering around the halls looking at exhibits and taking a look at the massive library.
Royal Academy of Arts Address: Burlington House, Mayfair, W1J 0BD Telephone: 020 7300 8000 Opening Times Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-10pm | Opening hours can vary for exhibitions. Pricing Prices for exhibitions vary. Photo courtesy: stephenrwalli
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