Special events

RA250: Behind the scenes – last-chance hard hat tour

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

1 July — 31 August 2017

Burlington House and Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts is currently undergoing one of the biggest physical changes in its 249-year history. We’ll take you on a full site tour and show you how the building work is unfolding ahead of time – the public won’t see the results until 2018.

£250. Includes tour and refreshments. Tours can be booked at a time that is mutually convenient.

Tours

Audio described tour and handling session: ‘Matisse in the Studio’

InTouch

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 4 September 2017
9 — 11am

Meet in the Front Hall, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

At this event for blind and visually impaired visitors, artist educator Harry Baxter will lead an audio described tour of the exhibition, followed by refreshments and a handling session.

Free, booking required.

Friends events

Friends excursions: the Art Workers’ Guild

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 4 September 2017
11am — 12.30pm

Meet at Art Workers' Guild, 6 Queen Square, WC1N

Friends discover the history and work of the Arts Workers’ Guild, formed in the Arts and Crafts era, led by architectural historian Alan Powers.

£29. Includes coffee.

Courses and Classes

Friends and Academicians’ Room members life drawing: measurement and proportion

Evening session

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 5 September 2017
6.15 — 9.15pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

An exclusive opportunity to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions for Friends and Academicians’ Room members in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. These practical sessions provide expert-led tuition in a social and welcoming environment. This month’s session concentrates on measurement and proportion.

£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.

Courses and Classes

Drawing essentials: understanding the human form and anatomy

Five-week practical evening course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 6 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 13 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 20 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 27 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 4 October 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Learn the essentials to drawing the human form and anatomy, including the head and upper and lower body, in the Royal Academy’s historic Life Room – a space purpose-built for life drawing – with practising artist Adele Wagstaff.

£85 for individual sessions. £400 for full course. Includes all materials, light refreshments on arrival and a drinks reception at the end of the final session.

Friends events

Friends excursions: Turner’s House

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 6 September 2017
2.30 — 4.15pm

Meet at Sandycombe Lodge, Sandycombe Road, TW1. Directions will be included with your ticket.

Friends privately tour Sandycombe Lodge, which was built by 1813 to the designs of England’s great landscape painter, J.M.W. Turner.

£32. Includes tea.

Friends events

English wine tasting: a celebration of summer

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 6 September 2017
7 — 9pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, the Keeper's House, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Discover six English wines, ideal for the summer months, and learn the story behind England’s growing success as a wine-making country.

£40. Includes tastings of six or seven English wines.

Friends events

Friends excursions: Highgate Cemetery

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 12 September 2017
11am — 1pm

Highgate West Cemetery, Swains Lane, Highgate, N6. Full directions with ticket.

Due to popular demand, we return to Highgate Cemetery for a guided tour of the private West Cemetery and its atmospheric Lebanon Circle Vaults, Egyptian Avenue and recently opened Terrace Catacombs.

£28

Special events

RA250: round table lunch with the Royal Academy’s Chief Executive

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 12 September 2017
1 — 3pm

The Keeper's House Restaurant, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join Charles Saumarez Smith, our Secretary and Chief Executive, for a special lunch at the Royal Academy where you’ll hear first-hand about our plans for the Academy’s future.

£150. Includes lunch and an RA gift bag.

Patrons events

Patrons tour: ‘Double Edge’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 14 September 2017
11am — 4pm

Folkestone, UK

Patrons are invited to join us for a guided visit to ‘Double Edge’, the Folkestone Triennial, to explore the installations that have transformed the town into an open-air, city-wide art exhibition.

£50 per person. Includes lunch and travel to and from the station.Travel to and from Folkestone not included. Patrons only.

Family events

Stories of the supernatural

Stories of birds and beasts brought to life in a family-friendly setting

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 17 September 2017, 11am — 12pm
• 17 September 2017, 2 — 3pm

In the exhibition 'Second Nature: The Art of Charles Tunnicliffe RA (1901-1979)', Tennant Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly

Come along as a family to listen to fantastical stories about nature in the unique setting of the RA galleries.

Free, booking required.

Tours

Tour of ‘Matisse in the Studio’ for mobility impaired visitors

InMotion

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 18 September 2017
9 — 11am

Meet in the Front Hall, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

A tour of ‘Matisse in the Studio’ designed for wheelchair users and mobility impaired visitors.

Free, booking required.

Talks

KWK Promes | Robert Konieczny

International Architects Series

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 18 September 2017
6.30 — 7.45pm

Geological Society, Piccadilly, W1

Polish architect Robert Konieczny talks about his innovative approach to residential architecture through some of his most recent projects.

£12, £6 concessions. Includes talk and drinks reception.

Patrons events

Patrons dining club: ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 18 September 2017
8.30 — 10.30pm

Full address provided on RSVP

Join us for Patrons dining club to celebrate the opening of Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’.

£75. Includes a three-course dinner with wine. Patrons only.

Patrons events

Opening reception: ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 19 September 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

We invite RA Patrons to celebrate the formal opening of Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’.

Free. Patrons only.

Friends events

Friends preview – ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 20 September 2017, 10am — 10pm
• 21 September 2017, 10am — 6pm
• 22 September 2017, 10am — 6pm

Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

We invite Friends of the RA to join us for an exclusive preview of ‘Jasper Johns’ before it is open to the public. Jasper Johns is regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, and has remained central to American contemporary art since his arrival in New York in the 1950s.

Free, booking required.

Courses and Classes

Behind the scenes: stars of the RA Collection

Evening session

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 20 September 2017
6 — 8pm

The Library, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts

An exciting opportunity to explore highlights from the Royal Academy’s collection with Annette Wickham, Curator of Works on Paper, including drinks, for a unique Royal Academy experience.

£120. Includes exclusive welcome drinks in the Academicians Room, an expert-led tour of the Academy's collection and a tour of the John Madejski Fine Rooms.

Patrons events

Patrons breakfast preview: ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 21 September 2017
8.45 — 10am

Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House

RA Patrons are invited to a special breakfast preview and curator-led tour of Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’; the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s work to be held in the UK in 40 years.

Free. Patrons only.

Friends events

Opera in the Royal Academy’s historic Life Drawing Room

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 21 September 2017
7 — 9pm

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

This exclusive evening event will take you on a journey of operatic excellence in the RA’s historic Life Drawing Room.

£95. Includes drinks reception

Friends events

Friends excursions: Armourers’ Hall

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Friday 22 September 2017
11am — 12.30pm

Meet at Armourers’ Hall, 81 Coleman St, EC2R

Friends privately tour the home of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Braziers, viewing the company’s exceptional collection of Tudor art and armour.

£28. Includes coffee.

Courses and Classes

‘Matisse in the Studio’: the object as actor

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 23 September 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 24 September 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Learning Studio, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Artist Gregory Ward leads a two-day oil painting course exploring the nature of the still life as seen within the context of the ‘Matisse in the Studio’ exhibition, studying the artist’s unique method of working with his collection of objects.

£480. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Talks

Work in focus: ‘The Seasons’ by Jasper Johns

Creation, preservation, destruction, quiescence

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 23 September 2017
3 — 4pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Roberta Bernstein, independent co-curator of Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’ explores the context, significance and meaning behind Johns’s series of works ‘The Seasons’.

£8, £5 concessions.

Courses and Classes

The vogue of vanitas and mortality

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

25 September — 4 December 2017

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join international scholars and art world experts for a 10-week series on memento mori and vanitas, exploring the aesthetic and philosophical themes around the transience of life – treated by artists across disciplines and cultures and over the ages from ancient Egypt to the present day.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1 - 5 OR weeks 6 - 10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Patrons events

Benjamin West Patrons: Spencer House visit

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 25 September 2017
9.30 — 11am

Spencer House, London

Following in the footsteps of the group’s namesake, Benjamin West Patrons are invited to join us for an exclusive tour of Spencer House, to see their wonderful Benjamin West historical paintings, currently on loan from the Royal Collection Trust.

Free. Benjamin West Patrons only.

Talks

Introduction to Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 25 September 2017
1 — 2pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Edith Devaney, co-curator of Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’ introduces the exhibition and highlights Johns’s preoccupation in his work with awakening the senses and revealing new ways of seeing art.

Free, booking required.

Friends events

Friends excursions: Humphrey Ocean RA

The artist in his studio

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 26 September 2017
2 — 3.30pm

West Norwood, London SE27. Full directions with ticket.

Get an intimate glimpse of the working studio of Royal Academician Humphrey Ocean, Professor of Perspective at the RA Schools, as he opens his studio to a small group of Friends of the RA.

£30, includes tea and biscuits.

Special events

Royal Academy America 2017 Gala

Hosted by Stephen Fry

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 26 September 2017
6.30 — 10.30pm

IAC Building, 555 West 18th Street, New York City

Join us this September as we celebrate the creative forces and voices of leadership behind the RA at the Royal Academy America 2017 gala celebration in New York City.

For enquiries, contact April Moorhouse, Events and Patron Membership Manager, at rsvp@raamerica.org or +1 (212) 980-8404.

Friends events

Tea-infused cocktail making workshop

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 26 September 2017
7 — 9pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Tregothnan and The Trafalgar Hotel St. James collaborate for a workshop on how to make tea-infused cocktails. Using the finest ingredients, they will blend their passions for both tea and cocktail-making in a must-attend event for contemporary cocktail fans and tea lovers alike.

£55. Includes five cocktails.

Talks

NL Architects

International Architects Series

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 27 September 2017
6.30 — 7.45pm

Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly

Dutch practice NL Architects joins our programme to discuss its work, including an award-winning renovation of a post-war housing block.

£12, £6 concessions. Includes talk and drinks reception.

Friends events

Friends excursions: Shakespeare’s London and the Rose Playhouse

Walking tour

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 28 September 2017
11am — 4pm

Meet the RA representative in the entrance hall of Blackfriars underground station, on the north side of Blackfriars Bridge.

Join fellow Friends for a fascinating walking tour of Bankside and Blackfriars. See where the Bard sold his plays, then pay a visit the site of the historic Rose Playhouse.

£60. Includes a light lunch, glass of wine, coffee/tea and entry to the Rose Playhouse.

Talks

Provocations in art: cultural appropriation

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Friday 29 September 2017
6.30 — 7.45pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Artists Yinka Shonibare RA and WESSIELING join ‘Matisse in the Studio’ co-curator Ellen McBreen to examine the ethical and artistic considerations of cultural appropriation within the arts, in a discussion chaired by writer and broadcaster Bidisha.

£12, £6 concessions.

Courses and Classes

Contemporary art valuation

Two-day art business course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 30 September 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 1 October 2017, 10am — 5pm

The Life Room, RA Schools, Piccadilly

This weekend course offers practical insights into valuation – one of the most opaque aspects of the art world – focussed on one of the most exciting and buoyant sectors: contemporary art. Discussion of strategies as well as underlying structures, systems and practices provide insight in the process of valuation, drawing on both cutting-edge theory and real-world expertise.

£290 for one day / £540 for two days. Includes all materials, light refreshments, lunch and a wine reception at the end of both days.

Talks

Painting now: Brice Marden and Gary Hume RA in conversation with Tim Marlow

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 30 September 2017
11am — 12pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

American painter Brice Marden talks about new work and the status of painting today with Gary Hume RA, in a discussion chaired by RA Artistic Director Tim Marlow.

£12, £6 concessions.

Talks

The Mycological Twist: the artist’s studio 2.0

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 30 September 2017
3 — 4.30pm

General Assembly Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join us for a roundtable exploring alternative studio practice, chaired by collaborators and founders of The Mycological Twist, Anne de Boer and Eloïse Bonneviot.

£8, £5 concessions.

Talks

Introduction to ‘Second Nature: The Art of Charles Tunnicliffe RA’

Free talk

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 30 September 2017
3 — 4pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join Professor Robert Meyrick, Head of the School of Art at Aberystwyth University, for an introduction to ‘Second Nature: The Art of Charles Tunnicliffe RA’.

Free, booking required.

Courses and Classes

Drawing essentials: understanding the human form and anatomy

Five-week practical evening course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 6 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 13 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 20 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 27 September 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm
• 4 October 2017, 6.15 — 9.15pm

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Learn the essentials to drawing the human form and anatomy, including the head and upper and lower body, in the Royal Academy’s historic Life Room – a space purpose-built for life drawing – with practising artist Adele Wagstaff.

£85 for individual sessions. £400 for full course. Includes all materials, light refreshments on arrival and a drinks reception at the end of the final session.

Courses and Classes

The vogue of vanitas and mortality

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

25 September — 4 December 2017

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join international scholars and art world experts for a 10-week series on memento mori and vanitas, exploring the aesthetic and philosophical themes around the transience of life – treated by artists across disciplines and cultures and over the ages from ancient Egypt to the present day.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1 - 5 OR weeks 6 - 10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Patrons events

Patrons dining club: ‘Dalí / Duchamp’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 2 October 2017
8.30 — 10.30pm

Full address provided on RSVP

Join us for Patrons dining club to celebrate the opening of ‘Dalí / Duchamp’.

£75. Includes three-course dinner with wine. Patrons only.

Patrons events

Opening reception: ‘Dalí / Duchamp’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 3 October 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

Weston Galleries, Burlington House

We invite RA Patrons to celebrate the formal opening of ‘Dalí / Duchamp’, which will throw light on the surprising relationship between father of conceptual art Marcel Duchamp, and larger-than-life Surrealist Salvador Dalí.

Free. Patrons only.

Friends events

Friends preview – ‘Dalí / Duchamp’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 4 October 2017, 10am — 10pm
• 5 October 2017, 10am — 6pm
• 6 October 2017, 10am — 6pm

Weston Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

We invite Friends of the RA to join us for an exclusive preview of the ‘Dalí / Duchamp’ exhibition before it is open to the public.

Free, booking required.

Patrons events

Gold and Platinum Patrons: tour of Frieze Masters with Charles Saumarez Smith

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 4 October 2017
3 — 4pm

Regent's Park, London

Gold and Platinum Patrons have the chance to join an exclusive tour of Frieze Masters with the Royal Academy’s Secretary and Chief Executive, Charles Saumarez Smith.

Free. Gold and Platinum Patrons only.

Talks

Aino Aalto

Forgotten Masters

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 4 October 2017
6.30 — 8pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join us for a discussion on Aino Marsio-Aalto and her often overlooked contribution to Nordic Modernist architecture.

£12, £6 concessions.

Patrons events

Architecture Patrons art and architecture tour: Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 7 October 2017
11am — 2pm

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

Bringing art and architecture together, please join us for a tour of the Henry Moore Foundation with Architect Hugh Broughton, followed by a curator-led tour of the ‘Becoming Henry Moore’ exhibition and Henry Moore’s home, Hoglands.

Free. Patrons only.

Tours

Audio described tour and handling session: ‘Jasper Johns’

InTouch

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 9 October 2017
9 — 11am

Meet in the Front Hall, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

This event for blind and partially sighted visitors starts with an audio-described tour of the exhibition, followed by refreshments and a handling session.

Free, booking required.

Patrons events

Benjamin West Patrons: evening private view of ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 9 October 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

Main Galleries and the John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts

Benjamin West Patrons are invited to join us for drinks and an exclusive private view of the upcoming Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’ exhibition.

£20. Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

Friends and Academicians’ Room members life drawing: coordination of hand and eye

Evening session

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 10 October 2017
6.15 — 9.15pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

An exclusive opportunity to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions for Friends and Academicians’ Room members in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. These practical sessions provide expert-led tuition in a social and welcoming environment. This month’s session concentrates on hand and eye coordination.

£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.

Courses and Classes

Great exhibitions: from the ancient to the virtual

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

11 October — 13 December 2017

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Andrea Tarsia, Head of Exhibitions returns to lead an international group of scholars to debate and discuss what makes an exhibition great and how great exhibitions can impact the way we view and understand art.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1-5 OR weeks 6-10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Patrons events

Patrons breakfast preview: ‘Dali / Duchamp’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Friday 13 October 2017
8.45 — 10am

Weston Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

RA Patrons are invited to a special breakfast preview and curator-led tour of ‘Dalí / Duchamp’, which will throw light on the surprising relationship between father of conceptual art Marcel Duchamp, and larger-than-life Surrealist Salvador Dalí.

Free. Patrons only.

Talks

The transformative object

Panel discussion

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Friday 13 October 2017
6.30 — 7.45pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

In this panel discussion, artists Sir Michael Craig Martin CBE RA, Alice Anderson and Professor Dawn Ades CBE FBA explore how artists transform our perception of everyday and familiar objects.

£12, £6 concessions.

Courses and Classes

Essential forms: Revealing Antiquities and the Ancient World

Two-day art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 14 October 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 15 October 2017, 10am — 5pm

The Life Room, The Royal Academy Schools

Leading art-world experts and international scholars introduce and de-mystify the fascinating world of antiquities and the ancient arts – with a view to the timeless forms, ideas and universal motifs that are so influential across the arts and culture up to the present day.

£360. Includes all materials, light refreshments at the beginning of each day and wine reception at the end of both days.

Patrons events

Patrons family morning: ‘Jasper Johns’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 14 October 2017
8.45 — 10am

Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

RA Patrons are invited to spend a family-friendly morning exploring Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’, before the galleries open to the public.

Free. Patrons only.

Friends events

RA250: Friends “After Dark” triple private view

‘Matisse in the Studio’, ‘Jasper Johns’ and ‘Dalí / Duchamp’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 14 October 2017
7 — midnight

Main Galleries and The Sackler Wing of Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Enjoy three landmark exhibitions away from the crowds at a special edition of our Friends private views – all in support of our fundraising appeal Make Your Mark.

£50. Includes welcome drink and donation to the Royal Academy capital appeal.

Patrons events

Contemporary Circle Patrons: private collection visit

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 19 October 2017
6.30 — 8pm

Full address provided on RSVP

Held in an apartment with sweeping views across the River Thames, this private collection of contemporary art in all mediums will be truly fascinating to visit.

£10 per person. Contemporary Circle Patrons only.

Talks

The art of looking at art

Panel discussion

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Friday 20 October 2017
6.30 — 7.45pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Our panel, including artist Cathie Pilkington RA and Gill Hart, Head of Education at the National Gallery, question how much context and knowledge is needed to appreciate art and discuss how art is interpreted.

£12, £6 concessions.

Friends events

American wine tasting: the Vinifera Revolution

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 24 October 2017
7 — 9pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, the Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join us for a wine tasting inspired by our exhibitions focusing on American art, including Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’.

£40. Includes tastings of six to seven wines.

Friends events

American craft chocolate and wine tasting experience

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 26 October 2017
7 — 9pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

To coincide with our celebration of the great American artist Jasper Johns, we take you on an exploration of the evolving world of American craft chocolate, pairing each choice with carefully selected wines.

£40. Includes ten chocolates and five wine tastings.

Courses and Classes

Drawing the portrait

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 28 October 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 29 October 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Artist and member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Andrew James leads a practical course exploring the descriptive and expressive possibilities contained within the drawing of the human head, using charcoal and graphite.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Courses and Classes

Combining opposites: exploring alternative painting techniques

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 28 October 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 29 October 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Learning Studio, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Artist and Print Tutor at the Royal Academy Schools Leigh Clarke will lead a practical course inspired by the works of Jasper Johns. Taking influence from Johns’s multi-media method of painting, participants will create works that cross-process printmaking, collage, stencilling and painting.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Courses and Classes

‘Matisse in the Studio’: joie de vivre and Matisse as collector

Two-day art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 28 October 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 29 October 2017, 10am — 5pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join international expert on Matisse and modern art, Dr Nicholas Watkins, for a thrilling insight into Matisse’s art and practice, the inner sanctum of his studio and his relationship to the outside world, and people and objects he collected around him.

£360. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the Saturday.

Courses and Classes

The vogue of vanitas and mortality

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

25 September — 4 December 2017

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join international scholars and art world experts for a 10-week series on memento mori and vanitas, exploring the aesthetic and philosophical themes around the transience of life – treated by artists across disciplines and cultures and over the ages from ancient Egypt to the present day.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1 - 5 OR weeks 6 - 10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Courses and Classes

Great exhibitions: from the ancient to the virtual

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

11 October — 13 December 2017

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Andrea Tarsia, Head of Exhibitions returns to lead an international group of scholars to debate and discuss what makes an exhibition great and how great exhibitions can impact the way we view and understand art.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1-5 OR weeks 6-10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Patrons events

Patrons private view: ‘Basquiat: Boom for Real’ at Barbican Art Gallery

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 1 November 2017
9 — 10am

Barbican, London

RA Patrons are invited to a private view of ‘Basquiat: Boom for Real’ at Barbican Art Gallery, before public opening hours.

Free. Patrons only.

Patrons events

RA Schools Patrons: open studios

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 2 November 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

The RA Schools, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Patrons are invited into the RA Schools to meet the students, see the projects they are currently working on and find out more about their work and life in the schools.

£20. Schools Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

‘Dalí / Duchamp’: relationships

A two-day symposium

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 3 November 2017, 1 — 5pm
• 4 November 2017, 10am — 5pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

This symposium explores the extraordinary relationship between Salvador Dalí and Marcel Duchamp, and the legacy of two of the 20th century’s greatest artists.

£120 for two days. Includes early bird entry into the exhibition on Saturday morning, refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of the second day

Courses and Classes

The power of the flower! Experimentations with botanical collage

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 4 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 5 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

Learning Studio, Burlington House, Royal Academy

Flowers will be the inspiration for creating colourful and innovative artworks using mixed media, découpage and collage in this practical course led by Sadie Hennessy, Screen Print Fellow at the Royal Academy.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Courses and Classes

Oil paint into collage: a point of departure

Four-week practical evening course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 7 November 2017, 6.30 — 9.30pm
• 14 November 2017, 6.30 — 9.30pm
• 21 November 2017, 6.30 — 9.30pm
• 28 November 2017, 6.30 — 9.30pm

The Learning Studio, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Figurative painter Andy Pankhurst leads both a techniques and ideas-based course working directly and perceptually from differing life models and poses each week.

£420. Includes all materials and a drinks reception at the end of the final session.

Patrons events

Patrons: 6 Burlington Gardens

A new site

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Wednesday 8 November 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

6 Burlington Gardens and RA Schools, Royal Academy of Arts

With the start of the RA’s 250th anniversary just months away, Patrons are invited to visit the final stages of construction in Burlington Gardens.

£20 per person. Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

‘Matisse in the Studio’: the nude

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 11 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 12 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Life Room, RA Schools, Piccadilly

Join artist Adele Wagstaff for an intensive practical course focusing on drawing and painting the nude, exploring the relationship between artist and model, inspired by the ‘Matisse in the Studio’ exhibition.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Patrons events

Gold and Platinum Patrons: Firmdale Art walk and lunch with Kit Kemp

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Saturday 11 November 2017
10.30am — 2pm

Ham Yard Hotel and Haymarket Hotel, London

Patrons are invited to spend the morning with the design director and co-owner of Firmdale Hotels, Kit Kemp, at Ham Yard Hotel and Haymarket Hotel.

£75. Includes lunch.

Courses and Classes

Friends and Academicians’ Room members life drawing: following the form

Evening session

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 14 November 2017
6.15 — 9.15pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

An exclusive opportunity to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions for Friends and Academicians’ Room members in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. These practical sessions provide expert-led tuition in a social and welcoming environment. This month’s session concentrates on following the form.

£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.

Patrons events

Contemporary Circle Patrons: Library salon with Peter Randall-Page RA

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 14 November 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

The Library, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Please join us as we delve into the RA Library and Archive with the much admired Royal Academician, Peter Randall-Page.

£10. Contemporary Circle Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

Oil painting from the life model

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 18 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 19 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

Learning Studio, Burlington House, Royal Academy

Learn the practical methods, tools and techniques of using oil paint, while working directly from a life model, in this exciting weekend-long workshop led by award-winning artist Andy Pankhurst.

£480. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Courses and Classes

Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’

Two-day art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 18 November 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 19 November 2017, 10am — 5pm

The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts

This course provides a unique opportunity to explore in detail the life and works of the Honorary Royal Academician Jasper Johns as well as providing insight into the cultural, social, political and economic context of the time.

£360. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the Saturday.

Courses and Classes

How to write about art

Two-day art theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 18 November 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 19 November 2017, 10am — 5pm

The General Assembly Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

What is the purpose of art criticism, and what does it take to become a successful critic? Led by Thomas Marks, writer and editor of Apollo magazine, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn about the curious history of art journalism while honing your own skills as a writer and critic.

£420. Includes light refreshments on both days and a drinks reception on Saturday evening.

Courses and Classes

Future figures: digital iPad painting and life drawing

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 25 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 26 November 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Life Room, The Royal Academy Schools

The RA Schools’ Head of Fine Art Processes and renowned figurative artist Mark Hampson leads this specialist digital workshop. Explore the possibilities of electronic drawing and painting using Apple’s iPad Pro and Apple Pencil technologies in conjunction with photographic and traditional analogue methodologies.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Patrons events

RA Schools Patrons: Keeper’s dinner

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 27 November 2017
7.30 — 11pm

Royal Academy Schools

Rebecca Salter RA, Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools, has great pleasure in inviting Schools Patrons to the Keeper’s dinner to celebrate the arrival of the first year students.

£175 for an individual ticket. RA Schools Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

The vogue of vanitas and mortality

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

25 September — 4 December 2017

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join international scholars and art world experts for a 10-week series on memento mori and vanitas, exploring the aesthetic and philosophical themes around the transience of life – treated by artists across disciplines and cultures and over the ages from ancient Egypt to the present day.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1 - 5 OR weeks 6 - 10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Courses and Classes

Great exhibitions: from the ancient to the virtual

Ten-week art history and theory course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

11 October — 13 December 2017

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Andrea Tarsia, Head of Exhibitions returns to lead an international group of scholars to debate and discuss what makes an exhibition great and how great exhibitions can impact the way we view and understand art.

£540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1-5 OR weeks 6-10. Includes all materials, light refreshments throughout and a drinks reception at the end of weeks 5 and 10.

Courses and Classes

Jasper Johns: a study in print

Weekend-long practical course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 2 December 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm
• 3 December 2017, 10.30am — 5.30pm

The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools

Taking inspiration from the ‘Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’’ exhibition, participants will experiment with a range of printmaking techniques to create a series of limited edition “variable” prints.

£420. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception at the end of the second day.

Courses and Classes

Connoisseurship: who painted what, when and how to tell

Two-day short course

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 2 December 2017, 10am — 5pm
• 3 December 2017, 10am — 5pm

The General Assembly Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Renowned art historian and dealer Dr Bendor Grosvenor leads an intensive weekend-long course focussing on connoisseurship – the art of authenticating and dating paintings, relevant for lovers of the arts, collectors and art world professionals.

£540. Includes all materials, light refreshments, lunch and a wine reception at the end of both days.

Patrons events

Patrons annual celebration

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Monday 4 December 2017
6.30 — 8.30pm

John Madejski Fine Rooms and Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

Join us at our annual celebration where we look at the success of the Royal Academy in 2017 and thank you for all your support.

Free. Patrons only.

Courses and Classes

Friends and Academicians’ Room members life drawing: building a formal group

Evening session

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Tuesday 5 December 2017
6.15 — 9.15pm

The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

An exclusive opportunity to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions for Friends and Academicians’ Room members in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. These practical sessions provide expert-led tuition in a social and welcoming environment. This month’s session concentrates on building a formal group.

£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.

Patrons events

Patrons evening preview: ‘From Life’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

Thursday 7 December 2017
5 — 6pm

The Sackler Wing, Burlington House

Patrons will have the first chance to view this original exhibition before the formal opening reception.

Free. Patrons only.

Friends events

Friends preview – ‘Charles I: King and Collector’

● Fully booked

● Cancelled

• 24 January 2018, 10am — 10pm
• 25 January 2018, 10am — 6pm
• 26 January 2018, 10am — 6pm

Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly

We invite Friends of the RA to join us for an exclusive preview of the ‘Charles I: King and Collector’ before it is open to the public.

Free, booking required.