, Suggestions for consideration by the members

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
__________________________
SUGGESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
BY THE MEMBERS.
__________________________

, Suggestions for consideration by the members

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
__________________________
SUGGESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY
THE MEMBERS.
__________________________

July 27, 1905.

Dear Sir,
A Meeting of 26 Academicians and Associates took place
on June 8th, 1905, at Mr. Sargent’s Studio, Sir Lawrence Alma-
Tadema, O.M, R.A. in the Chair, to consider certain reforms that
had been suggested in the mode of election to the Royal Academy.
The discussion extended to other questions affecting
the position of Associates, the selection of works for
Exhibition, and the principle of bringing the Royal Academy
into closer relation to the general body of outside artists.
The Meeting decided to appoint a Committee of three
Academicians and three Associates, each representing one of the
three Arts, to draw up a scheme of reform and report to a
General Meeting of the entire body of Members in the Autumn,
which should be invited for that purpose.
The following Committee was elected: --
Painting.
Sir L. Alma-Tadema, O.M., R.A.
Mr. La Thangue, A.R.A.
Sculpture
Mr Brock, R.A.
Mr. Goscombe John, A.R.A.
Architecture.
Mr. Jackson, R.A.
Mr. Blomfield, A.R.A.
It being thought that the Painters on account of their
preponderance in numbers should be more largely represented
Mr. Dicksee, R.A., was elected as a seventh member.

, Suggestions for consideration by the members

The Committee has met twice and agreed to lay the
following proposals before the whole body: --
SUMMER
EXHIBI-
TION.
1. That in order to ensure a more deliberate selection
of works for Exhibition there should be a preliminary selection
by Committees of not more than six Members each, elected by
the whole body of Academicians and Associates for each of the
five classes of: -- 1. Painting. 2. Sculpture. 3. Architecture.
4. Water-colour. 5. Black and White and Miniatures.
2. That each of these five Committees should examine
and reject such works in their own class as they may think
unworthy of consideration, and that they should, if they please,
mark certain works for commendation.
3. That each Committee should consist of full Members
and Associates in equal numbers as far as possible, and that
the work of selection should be done by them without payment.
4. That the works remaining after this preliminary
selection should be brought up as heretofore for the judgment
of the Council.
ELECTION
OF
MEMBERS.
1. That the principal duly constituted Societies of
Artists in the Kingdom be invited to nominate candidates for
election if they think proper.
2. That no name shall remain on the candidates’ list
longer than seven years without renomination.
3. That in order to be eligible for election a Painter
must obtain ten signatures to his nomination, and a Sculptor
or an Architect six names.
4. That if possible the election of Associates should
take place on one of the varnishing days, when the whole body

, Suggestions for consideration by the members

would be most likely to be in London.
ANNUAL
MEETING.
That there be a General Meeting annually of the whole
body of Academicians and Associates.
1. To elect visitors to the Schools.
2. To elect Committees for the preliminary
selection.
3. To hear complaints and receive suggestions
for the better management of the
Institution.
REPORT.
That the Annual Report of the Royal Academy be sent to
Associates as well as to Academicians.
ANNUAL
DINNER.
That with a view to the establishment of mutual
sympathy and kindly feeling in the interest of Art, the Royal
Academy should give an Annual Dinner on the King’s Official
Birthday to which should be invited the most distinguished
outside Artists on the recommendations of Academicians and
Associates, each member to have the right to nominate one such
guest. The dinner to be given at the expense of the Academy.
In presenting this Report the Committee desire to
point out that their recommendations can all be adopted without
any change in the constitution of the Academy. They believe
that while the government of the Institution would remain with
the Council and general assembly of Academicians, the admission
of Associates to a share in the selection of works for
exhibition would do much to secure the confidence of outside
exhibitors with whom the young members are naturally more in
touch than their elders; while the plan of a preliminary
selection would remove the suspicion of a hurried judgment
and prevent, in a measure, the accidental rejection of works
that afterwards might be regretted.

, Suggestions for consideration by the members

The admission of Associates to a larger share in the
direction of the Schools was actually agreed to by the general
assembly in the first draft of the new school laws, but
disappeared in the subsequent revision.
The proposals with regard to the election of Members
into the Academy are not so wide as some desire, but they will
have the effect of extending the candidature.
The Committee earnestly hope that you will attend a
meeting of the whole body of members to consider this report,
on November 9th, of which further notice will be sent you near
the time.

Yours very faithfully,
H.H. LA THANGUE, Hon. Sec.,
Graffham,
Petworth

Suggestions for consideration by the members

RA Collection: Archive

Reference code

RAA/GA/17/5

Title

Suggestions for consideration by the members

Date

27 Jul 1905

Level

File

Extent & medium

1 piece

Previous reference codes

RAA/GA/17/4, RAA/GA/17/3, and 1246

Content Description

The memorandum, which is signed by H. H. La Thangue, puts forward suggested reforms to the summer exhibition, election of members, annual report and annual dinner, and the proposal that a general meeting of the whole body of members take place annually. The paper explains that the proposals followed a meeting of 26 Academicians and Associates held at the studio of John Singer Sargent on 8 June 1905, which had led to the formation of a committee of seven members, including Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sir W. Goscombe John, Reginald Blomfield and Frank Dicksee. The committee, which met twice, decided to report to a general meeting of the entire body of members in the Autumn.