Friends FAQs
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How can I join as a Friend?
You can join online, by calling the Friends team on 020 7300 8090 or at the RA in person at the Friends desk.
How can I renew my current membership?
If you are currently a Friend, you can renew your membership online and pay by entering either your debit/credit card information or by setting up a direct debit. You can also renew by calling the Friends Team on 020 7300 8090 or at the RA in person. We will send you a renewal reminder in the post or by email. If you already pay for your Friends membership by direct debit, your membership will be renewed automatically and you will be a sent a new card before the old one expires.
Can I visit if I don’t have my card?
For ease of access, it is always best to bring your card with you when you visit. If you do not have your Friends card with you, please go to the Friends desk; as long as your membership is still valid, we can issue you with a temporary day pass.
What should I do if I’ve lost my card?
If you have lost your card, please go to the Friends desk, email the Friends Team at friends@royalacademy.org.uk or call 020 7300 8090 so we can issue a replacement card. Please note that, before issuing a replacement card or a day pass, we will need to verify that you are the account holder. You can either show us some ID with your name on it, eg a credit card, debit card or a driver’s licence, or we can ask you a few questions relating to your account.
How many guests can I bring?
If you hold a Standard Friend or Young Friend membership you can bring one family guest into the exhibitions and Friends room. Friends with Joint membership may each bring one family guest. Under 16s have free entry to the exhibitions. The main cardholder must always be present to allow entry, as membership is non-transferable. Additional identification for admittance may be required, such as a credit or debit card or a driver’s licence. If you are registered disabled, your carer/facilitator may join you in addition to the guests included in your membership.
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![Friends events]()
How can I sign up to hear more about the activities across the RA?
If you would like to receive updates by email, you can register now to make sure you’re getting the latest from across the RA. Read our privacy policy.
I’m not receiving the enewsletters
Please email the Friends Team at friends@royalacademy.org.uk or call 020 7300 8090 so we can make sure we have your current email address.
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Do I need to book a time slot?
Friends need to book for specific Friends events, public ticketed events and exhibition preview days. For particularly busy exhibitions, we may also ask that Friends book their tickets for the duration of the exhibition, to guarantee entry to the galleries at the desired time. Friends who do not book in advance may be asked to wait for up to an hour during these times.
When we recommend advance booking for Friends, we will advertise this via the website, the RA Magazine, in our e-news communications and through on-site signage. If you are uncertain, you can always contact the Friends team on 020 7300 8090. Read more about our exhibition programme here.
How can I book?
For Friends-only events
To book a Friends-only event or a Friends preview online, click the “Book now” button on the event webpage. You will be asked to login using your email address, post code and membership number. You can find your membership number on your membership card and at the top of every Friends enews. Once logged in, follow the links to add tickets to your order and pay online, if applicable. You will receive confirmation of your booking by email.For exhibitions and public events
To book an exhibition ticket or an event that is also open to the public, click the “Book now” button on the event webpage. You will see a message at the top of the page asking you to login if you are a Friend of the RA. You must login before adding tickets to your order so the website can identify you as a Friend and offer you the correct ticket options. Once logged in, follow the links to add tickets to your order and pay online, if applicable. You will receive confirmation of your booking by email.Exhibition tickets are available online up to one hour before entry.
If you have trouble logging in or completing your booking online, please email friends@royalacademy.org.uk or call us on 020 7300 8090. Tickets are also available to purchase by calling 020 7300 8090, or by visiting the ticket desk at the RA.
I’m visiting with more than one guest, how do I book tickets for them?
Online
To book additional tickets for exhibitions, follow the directions above. You will be able to add tickets included as part of your membership as well as additional tickets to your order.At the RA
At the RA, you and your guest will be directed to the ticket collection desk to purchase your additional tickets. You will need to show your Friends card to join this queue. Please note that, for busy exhibitions, we strongly advise buying tickets in advance.Are carers/facilitators required to buy tickets for the exhibitions and events?
If you are registered disabled, your carer/facilitator may join you in addition to the guests included in your membership. For events and exhibitions, please either add a free ticket for your carer/facilitator to your order when booking online, or let a member of our team know if booking by phone or at the RA.
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What is the Keeper’s House?
The Keeper’s House is place to eat, drink and encounter art at the Royal Academy. It includes the Sir Hugh Casson Room (where the Friends café is located), the Belle Shenkman Room seating area, the Green Room restaurant and Shenkman bar and garden. The Sir Hugh Casson Room and Belle Shenkman Room are exclusive to Friends before 4pm every day. The Keeper’s House can be accessed by the door to the right in the main foyer. Please show your Friends card to enter.
Can I reserve a table?
We do not reserve tables in the Sir Hugh Casson Room or the Belle Shenkman Room and these are given on a first come first served basis. You can book tables in the Green Room and the Shenkman Bar on the day of your visit to the RA. Please head downstairs in the Keeper’s House to reserve your table. Group bookings of 10 or more guests are required to make a formal reservation the phone, on 0739 324 2872.
How can I access the RA Library?
Friends can access the Library by appointment, free of charge. To make an appointment, or for more information, please call 020 7300 5737 (closed Monday), email library@royalacademy.org.uk or visit the RA Collection and research page.
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![The Keeper's House]()
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Can I purchase items from the RA Shop online? Can I order items to be collected from RA?
To buy items online please visit the RA Shop website. All items ordered online must be delivered to the billing address stated on your order. We cannot arrange for items to be collected from the RA.
What is the RA Shop discount for Friends?
Friends receive a 10% discount in the RA Shop. To use this discount in person, simply show your Friends membership card to the RA Shop staff. To use this discount for online purchases please quote the discount code sent out in your weekly Friends enewsletters.
The Friends discount cannot be applied on-sale items and also excludes RA Art Sales, limited-edition prints or custom prints, limited-edition books, limited-edition merchandise, magazine subscriptions, RA membership, gift vouchers, glassware, Print on Demand or RA Paints. It is not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.
Can I bring luggage to the RA?
We regret that we cannot accept luggage into the galleries and large bags must be stored in our cloakroom. Stored bags must be no larger than 280mm width by 380mm height and 400mm depth. Items may be subject to search. All items are left at the owner’s own risk.
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If you need to get in touch with any other questions, find full details of how to contact us here.