Royal Academy of Arts

About the museum

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded in London in 1768 under the patronage of George III. It was set up by artists and architects to promote the visual arts through education and exhibitions, and it is still run by a body of elected artists and architects, the Royal Academicians. Its annual Summer Exhibition, open to submissions from artists, has become a fixture of the London art calendar.

After earlier homes, the Academy moved in the 1860s to Burlington House in Piccadilly, a historic mansion in the heart of Mayfair that it has occupied ever since. Over time the site expanded with new galleries and the nearby building at 6 Burlington Gardens.

Today the Royal Academy combines a programme of major, ticketed exhibitions with free displays from its own collection. The Collection Gallery shows treasures from the RA Collection, including a sixteenth-century copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, and the John Madejski Fine Rooms are six richly decorated rooms hung with works from the collection. The Academy also runs a school, talks, courses and events.

Highlights

• Free Collection Gallery with a sixteenth-century copy of Leonardo's Last Supper
• John Madejski Fine Rooms
• Architecture Wall in the Sir Hugh Casson Room
• Burlington House courtyard and cafés
• Late opening on Fridays and Saturdays

Permanent exhibitions

• RA Collection Gallery – Free gallery with treasures from the Academy's own collection, including a sixteenth-century copy of Leonardo's Last Supper.
• The John Madejski Fine Rooms – Six richly decorated adjoining rooms in Burlington House, hung with works from the RA Collection.

Founded

1768

Operated by

Royal Academy of Arts

Visitors per year

approx. 1,594,140

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The Collection Gallery, the John Madejski Fine Rooms and other free displays can be visited without a ticket. Major exhibitions are ticketed, with prices set per exhibition. The Academy is cashless.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is step-free access throughout the building; the accessible entrance is the central door on Piccadilly (ring the bell), closest to the disabled parking spaces. Two disabled parking spaces in the courtyard can be booked in four-hour slots, ideally two weeks ahead and not on the same day. Manual wheelchairs and one rollator walker can be borrowed free of charge. Accessible toilets are beyond the main staircase. Large-print guides are available for exhibitions, portable stools can be borrowed, and online events have live captioning. A visual story helps with planning. Working guide and assistance animals are welcome.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing is next to the accessible toilet on the ground floor, highchairs are available in all cafés and restaurants, and pushchairs can be brought into exhibitions or left in either cloakroom.

Getting there & parking

The Burlington House entrance is on Piccadilly. Bike racks are available; bikes are left at the owner's risk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

RA Café, the outdoor RA Courtyard Café and the Architecture Wall hatch serve drinks and light food (closed Mondays). The Keeper's House by José Pizarro is open to Friends and members only. There are self-service lockers and a small cloakroom; backpacks, suitcases and large bags cannot be brought into the galleries. No food or drink in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Spaces include the 220-seat Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, the John Madejski Fine Rooms, the Collection Gallery and the Academicians' Room.

Plan your visit