Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is a London-based gallery with offices in Burlington House on Piccadilly. It was established in 1768 and occupies a distinctive position as an independent, privately funded institution run by renowned architects and painters. Through exhibitions, instruction, and discussion, it seeks to advance the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts.

The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce members, particularly the sculptor Henry Cheere, attempted to form an independent academy of arts in 1755, which is where the Royal Academy of Arts got its start. Before this, a number of painters, like Cheere and William Hogarth, were involved in small-scale private art academies like the St Martin's Lane Academy or were members of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Despite the failure of Cheere's attempt, the final charter—known as a "Instrument"—used to organize the Royal Academy of Arts more than ten years later was nearly identical to the one created by Cheere in 1755.

Established: 1768; 254 years ago
Location: PiccadillyLondon, W1,England, United Kingdom

Visitors: 1,285,595 (as of 2016)

Website: royalacademy.org.uk