Royal Academy of Arts

It is an independent institution that was founded by King George III in 1768 to promote British art, primarily through the Royal Academy’s training programmes which constitute the oldest art school in Britain. Past students include JMW Turner, Sir John Soane, William Blake, John Constable and Edwin Landseer.

It is privately funded, although the British government lets it use Burlington House rent-free.

What to see at Royal Academy of Arts

The gallery features­ a programme of art exhibitions that range from obscure artists to famous British and European artists including Michelangelo, Constable and Gainsborough.

To celebrate its 250th anniversary, a newly expanded campus was opened in May 2018, dubbed the New RA. A highlight is the RA Collection Gallery, a new exhibition space with highlights from the Academy’s permanent collection, which include Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo and Giampetrino’s 16th-century copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

The RA’s Architecture Studio is a permanent space for the Academy’s architecture, which includes both exhibitions and talks from prominent architects.

Temporary exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts

Most of the Royal Academy’s exhibition space is used for a vibrant programme of temporary exhibitions with several exhibitions running concurrently. Although some of these exhibitions are free, many of them, including the annual Summer Exhibition, incur an admission charge.

Current and planned temporary exhibitions include:

Flaming June
Frederic, Lord Leighton’s Victorian masterpiece, Flaming June, is on display at the Collection Gallery until 12 January 2025. Originally exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1895, this significant work is on loan from the Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico. The painting is presented alongside works from the RA Collection, including pieces by Leighton and his contemporaries, offering insights into his creative process and the interplay between painting and sculpture. If you enjoyed this exhibition, you may also want to visit the Leighton House Museum in Kensington.

Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504
On 25 January 1504, as the Italian Renaissance bloomed, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, artistic giants of their time, briefly converged in Florence, vying for the favour of powerful patrons. This exhibition (until 16 February 2025) featuring Michelangelo’s renowned Taddei Tondo, delves into the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo, exploring their influence on the young Raphael. The exhibition includes examples of Italian Renaissance drawing, including Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon and studies for murals commissioned by the Florentine government. £19–21.

Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism
This exhibition (28 January–21 April 2025) explores the emergence of modern art in Brazil from the 1910s to the 1960s. Brazilian artists blended contemporary trends, international influences and local traditions to create a new form of modernism, deeply connected to Brazil’s cultures and landscapes. The exhibition features artists like Tarsila do Amaral, Anita Malfatti, Alfredo Volpi and Ruben Valentim, highlighting those who have received less recognition in the UK. £23.50–25.50.

Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo
Explore the rarely-seen drawings of Victor Hugo, renowned 19th-century French writer and public figure. This exhibition (21 March–29 June 2025) showcases Hugo’s ink and wash works, including imaginary castles and dramatic landscapes, reflecting his private passion for drawing. The display traces his artistic evolution, featuring some of his finest works on paper, many of which haven’t been shown in the UK for over 50 years. £17.

Summer Exhibition 2025
For many visitors, the annual Summer Exhibition (17 June–17 August 2025) is the highlight of the RA’s exhibition programme. The exhibition is open to anyone, who can submit works to the Academy with the best works being selected for the exhibition and this selection process sees work by leading artists being exhibited alongside relatively unknown emerging talent. Furthermore, most of the art in the Summer Exhibition is available for sale.

Kiefer / Van Gogh
This exhibition (28 June–26 October 2025) explores the lasting impact Vincent van Gogh has had on Anselm Kiefer. It showcases works by both artists, including new pieces by Kiefer. The exhibition examines how Van Gogh’s Post-Impressionist techniques and themes have influenced Kiefer’s art over his 60-year career, from his early travels through Europe to his monumental paintings and sculptures.

Kerry James Marshall
This exhibition (20 September 2025–18 January 2026) presents the largest UK survey of American painter Kerry James Marshall. Known for placing black figures at the centre of his large-scale paintings, Marshall’s work draws on his memories, art history and contemporary culture. The exhibition includes 70 works, featuring a new series of paintings and his evolving commemorative sculpture, Wake. £23.50–25.50.

A Story of South Asian Art: Mrinalini Mukherjee and Her Circle
A Story of South Asian Art lets you explore the artistic journey of Indian sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee and her influence on South Asian art. This exhibition (24 October 2025–25 January 2026) showcases works from her 40-year career alongside drawings, paintings and sculptures by her peers, teachers, and modernist pioneers such as KG Subramanyan. The display highlights how Mukherjee’s art blends abstraction with the human form, drawing from nature, architecture, and South Asian traditions. £17.

Visiting Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts is located in Burlington House off Piccadilly. The closest tube stations are Green Park and Piccadilly Circus, both a five-minute walk from the Royal Academy.

There is a wide range of exhibitions at the Royal Academy, both free and paid. The admission charge varies although most major temporary exhibitions cost between £15 and £20. Tickets for the Summer Exhibition cost £20–22. Most exhibitions are £1 cheaper with a National Art Pass.

With the exception of the upper garden area in the Keeper’s House, all areas of the Royal Academy are wheelchair accessible. Audio guides (and transcripts of audio guides) are free for disabled visitors, tours are available in British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf visitors and audio described tours are available for blind and visually-impaired visitors. There is also a programme of events put on specifically for disabled visitors.

There are several bars, cafes and restaurants in the Royal Academy of Arts complex, although the restaurant and bars inside the Keeper’s House are restricted to Friends of the RA before 4pm.

Nearby attractions include Burlington Arcade, Clarence House and well-known West End shopping streets including Jermyn Street, Savile Row, New Bond Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street.

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