What Is the Royal Academy of Arts Website?

royalacademy.org.uk is the official website of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), an art institution in the heart of London. The site describes the RA as "a place where art is made, exhibited and debated," and it serves as the public entry point for planning a visit, browsing exhibitions and events, and reading art-related articles and videos. Use it if you want practical visitor information (opening times, entrance, what's on) or want to book exhibitions and events; it is not a general art encyclopedia or a marketplace.

What the site covers

The homepage is organized around a few clear purposes:

• Visit planning — opening times, the Burlington House entrance address, and a "Plan your visit" link.
• What's on — current and upcoming exhibitions, displays, talks, and courses.
• Editorial content — RA Magazine articles and videos on art and artists.
• Support and membership — newsletter sign-up, donations, and Friends of the RA membership.

Opening times and location

The site lists the following visitor details:

These hours are the ones published on the site; check the "Plan your visit" page before travelling in case of seasonal changes.

What you can see and do

The "What's on" section mixes ticketed exhibitions with free displays:

• Painting the French Riviera — 2 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, with a "Book now" option.
• The John Madejski Fine Rooms — a free display running 16 December 2025 to 29 January 2027.
• Exhibition Free Day — 18 September to 8 November 2026.
• Talk: Lubaina Himid in conversation — 28 October 2026.

The site also groups content into events and displays, courses and classes, free exhibitions and displays, and talks and lectures, so you can filter by what you want to attend.

Membership and support

Friends of the RA membership is presented with specific benefits: repeat visits to listed exhibitions, bringing a family member as a guest for free, invitations to exclusive preview days, and access to the Keeper's House by José Pizarro. The site also accepts donations in preset amounts (£15, £50, £100) or a custom amount. Prices for membership or tickets are not stated on the homepage, so check the relevant booking page for current costs.

When to use the site

• Planning a trip: confirm opening days and hours, then use "Plan your visit" for directions and access details.
• Choosing what to see: browse "What's on" to compare ticketed exhibitions against free displays.
• Booking: follow "Book now" on a specific exhibition; the site does not indicate whether booking is required for free displays.
• Following the RA's content: read magazine articles and watch studio videos if you want context on artists and exhibitions rather than logistics.

The site is a visitor and program hub rather than a full archive; for research-level material, treat its articles and videos as starting points and verify details against the exhibition pages themselves.