Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy was founded by Ellen Sharples with early benefactors that include Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Prince Albert.

What to see at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The RWA is housed inside a Grade II*-listed building that was opened in 1858. Its interior is lit by natural light from large skylights and it is noted for a replica of the Parthenon Frieze.

It has five galleries with a permanent collection that is comprised of over 1,700 works of art including works by prominent British artists including artists from the Bloomsbury, Newlyn and St Ives schools. The gallery focuses on both traditional and contemporary British art.

Temporary exhibitions at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Drawing School Showcase
This exhibition (until 1 December 2024) highlights the talent of artist-tutors from the RWA Drawing School, where adults explore their creativity under the guidance of professional artists. The Drawing School continues the RWA’s tradition of being both a working studio and exhibition space. With over a thousand participants each year, the school fosters a vibrant creative community. The exhibition features works in various media, offering insight into the tutors’ expertise and the school’s diverse artistic practices.

RWA 171 Annual Open Exhibition
The RWA’s 171st Annual Open Exhibition (until 5 January 2025) features a diverse array of media showcasing over 1,000 works from 500 artists. The exhibition is similar to the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in the sense that it is open to submissions from both established and emerging artists with entries vetted by a panel of high-profile artists.

This year’s exhibition features over 600 works, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture, and architecture by both established and emerging artists from the UK and beyond. The invited artist for 2024 is Rana Begum, RA. Selection was made by a panel of judges, including Freeny Yianni, Dr Chris Stephens and RWA Academicians.

Visiting the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is located around midway between Clifton and the city centre. It is close to the University of Bristol and there are several interesting sights nearby interest including the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which is only a four-minute walk away.

Admission to the permanent gallery is free of charge, however, there is a fee to visit many of the temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are half price with the National Art Pass.

The RWA has its own on-site cafe, however, the gallery’s location near the university ensures that there are plenty of other places to eat and drink nearby. The gallery also has an excellent gift shop.

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