Friends of the RA
Get closer to art and artists
Friends of the RA
Become a Friend of the RA today and enjoy a year of free entry to our exhibitions. Friends can bring a family guest for free, enjoy all day access to the Keeper’s House and much more.
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Young Friend
16 - 25
Admits one named card holder and one family guest.
£45 by Direct Debit
£50 by card or cheque -
Standard Friend
Admits one named card holder and one family guest.
£97 by Direct Debit
£107 by card or cheque -
Joint Friends
Two adults at one address.
Admits two named card holders and two family guests.
£140 by Direct Debit
£150 by card or cheque
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Benefits
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Installation view of 'Bronze' in the Main Galleries
Free entry to exhibitions for you and your guests
Visit all Royal Academy exhibitions with a family guest for free.
Please note, you must show a membership card along with a valid ID (such as a driving licence, bank or credit card) at the gallery entrance. We’ll check your ID in order to ensure Friends have the best experience possible. Membership is non transferable.
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The Keeper's House
Enjoy all-day access to our home for artists and art lovers. With lounges, a restaurant, cocktail bar and garden - it’s the perfect place to relax during your visit to the RA.
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Friends Previews
See our major exhibitions before they open to the public at Friends Preview days. You are also given special extended hours to see the exhibitions outside the public opening hours.
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Benefits
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RA Magazine Spring 2013
RA Magazine
Receive the quarterly RA Magazine, which covers UK and international art exhibitions, book reviews and news from the RA and Royal Academicians.
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Photo: Roy Matthews
Inspiring talks and events
Be the first to hear about our inspiring events which feature leading artists talking about their work and lectures from our curators. Enjoy special access to other cultural sites through our programme of expert-led Friends excursions and our international trips led by our travel provider Cox & Kings.
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Keep in touch
Hear from our Royal Academicians about exhibitions, Friends Previews and Friends events through our monthly e-newsletter.
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What's it like being a Friend of the RA?
Hear from some of our Friends
Find out what it’s like to be a Friend of the Royal Academy in this short video.
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Are you a Friend of the RA? Are you getting updates by email?
Register now to make sure you're getting the latest from across the RA.
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As a Friend of the RA, you help us:
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Statue of Sir Joshua Reynolds in the Annenberg Courtyard
Maintain our independence
The Royal Academy is a self-supporting charity, which receives no revenue funding from the government. We rely on money from Friends like you to be able to continue our work and remain a centre for visual arts in Britain and the world.
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Conserve the nation’s artistic heritage
The RA Collection tells the story of British art and artists from the 18th Century to the present day. Highlights include major works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Millais, Leighton, Waterhouse, Sargent, Spencer and Hockney. Our Library is the oldest institutional Fine Arts library in the United Kingdom, with a significant collection of books, prints, drawings and photographs.
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Nurture the next generation of great artists
The RA Schools have trained some of Britain’s most famous artists and are regarded throughout the world as a centre of artistic excellence. The Schools gives students the platform to develop their ideas, and the foundation to become a professional artist.
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I do not think there is a more pleasurable or fulfilling thing to be than a Friend of the Royal Academy. I am passionate about the RA and think it stands for all the very best in British cultural life.
Stephen Fry
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Contact us
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Online: email friends@royalacademy.org.uk or use the online form
By phone: 020 7300 8090
Lines are open 10am – 5pm, seven days a week.In person: Visit the Friends Desk in the main reception of Burlington House
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By post:
Friends of the RA
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly
London, W1J 0BD -
Need a replacement card?
If you have lost your Friends of the RA card, use the online form to request a new card.Gift Aid Enquiries
020 7300 5816To book wheelchairs and disabled parking
020 7300 8028
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Are you on Twitter?
@friendsofthera
Friends (and budding Friends) are warmly invited to join our Twitter community. Chat to us and fellow Friends about exhibitions, discover a range of stories and stay up to date on news and events.
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Offers
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Autumn at the Keeper's House
Friends of the RA can enjoy the à la carte menu for a special price with a glass of Villa St. Jean 2015 (white or red) throughout autumn
2 courses – £21.00
3 courses – £27.50To book a table please call 020 7300 5881 and quote “RA Friends”. This offer is also available for walk-ins – please quote “RA Friends” to a member of staff on arrival. Please ensure you bring a valid Friends membership card when dining.
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Friends menu at 45 Jermyn St
The Chef at 45 Jermyn St has created an exclusive menu for Friends, available until 2 October 2016.
2 courses with a 250ml carafe of wine – £35
3 courses with a 250ml carafe of wine – £39To book a table please call 0207 205 4545 or email reservations@45jermynst.com and quote “RA Summer offer”. This offer is also available for walk-ins – please quote “RA Summer offer” to reception. Please ensure you bring a valid Friends membership card when dining.
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Early-bird Christmas bookings
Friends and their guests receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for bookings of 10 or more people when visiting between Monday 28 November and Friday 23 December. Book before 14 October for the early-bird offer.
To book a table please call 020 7300 5881 and quote “early-bird Christmas offer”, or email shamsa.abdalla@peytonandbyrne.co.uk. Please ensure you bring a valid Friends membership card when you visit.
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RA Art Tours Worldwide
These expert-led small-group tours, created by travel specialists Cox & Kings, focus on the art, architecture and archaeology of some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. The RA Worldwide Tours programme has been especially created for Friends of the RA, however all tours are open to anyone with a passion for the arts and architecture.
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Watch the highlights from Friends Week 2015
Friends Week 2015
Our first ever Friends Week, in May 2015, was a huge success. Friends had the opportunity to get behind the scenes, meet Royal Academicians and take part in workshops. Hear from our Friends about their experiences in this video.