Royal Academy of Arts

We are an Academy. We have much in common with museums and other galleries, but we have a broader role – to promote not just the appreciation and understanding of art, but also its practice.

We are artist-led. Our artists represent many different perspectives, but we all share a deep commitment to art and a strong belief in the contribution that artists make to the world.

We are an independent charity. Unlike most of our peers we do not receive revenue funding from government and so we are reliant upon the support of visitors, donors, sponsors, and the loyal Friends of the Royal Academy to continue our work.

We are home to Britain’s first art school, the RA Schools. Our three-year postgraduate course is one of the most competitive in the country, and we are proud to offer free tuition to all who study here. The RA Schools has trained some of the UK’s finest artists, from William Blake to 2013 Turner Prize-nominee Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.