The Royal Academy is an art institution based in London, England. It was cofounded in 1768 by Sir Joshua Reynolds, its first president, and Benjamin West, its second president. Full membership of the academy is limited to 80 Academicians or "RAs", who must be professional painters, printmakers, sculptors or architects.
The Royal Academy hosts a summer exhibition every year, which is an opportunity for unknown artists to have their work viewed by the public at this prestigious venue. It also runs a postgraduate art school and a research library.
Until 1771, the Academy was based in Pall Mall. It then moved to Somerset House but when these premises were taken over by the government, the Academy moved first, in 1837, to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and then, in 1868, to its permanent home at Burlington House, designed by Charles Barry (junior), architect son of Sir Charles Barry.
