The Academicians’ Room
Join the Royal Academy’s private members’ club for artists and art-lovers.
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The Academicians’ Room is a special place. Tucked away on the first floor of the Keeper’s House, you’ll find a vibrant and relaxed haven where members can meet, share drinks, conversation and food – in the company of artists and art-lovers.
The RA is committed to supporting artists and architects of every generation. A membership to the Academicians’ Room helps us achieve our charitable aims, while offering you exclusive access to the club room, and unparalleled access to the Royal Academy’s world-class programme of exhibitions and events.
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Visiting information during coronavirus
You may only visit the Academicians’ Room with members of your household
Due to new restrictions, you may only visit with members of your household and not as a mixed group. If you need to rebook your visits, please contact us at 020 300 5920 or academiciansroom@raarts.org.uk, 11am – 4pm, Mon – Sat.
You must pre-book exhibition tickets online
Only a limited number of people are allowed into our galleries, so it’s essential that all visitors, including Academicians’ Room members and their guest, book a free ticket online before visiting (please note: your guest must be part of your household). This includes early access events such as VIP Fridays.
Booking is required to visit the Academicians’ Room
Members will have to pre-book seating in the Academicians’ Room by contacting the Membership Team on 0207 300 5920 or submitting a form.
We are currently open: Mon–Sun 10am–6pm
Access to the Academicians’ Room will be via the front hall of Burlington House only
Members must meet their guests in the RA courtyard and show their club room booking at the Ticket Desk.
You can bring a maximum of five guests
Members can bring up to five guests, subject to availability (due to social distancing we will be operating with less seating during this period. Please note: members must book in advance and can meet only guests from their household).
It is essential that members bring their membership card
We’re going cashless and ask you to pay by card
We accept debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
For further information about visiting the RA, please read our new safety guidelines
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Book a place in the Academicians' Room
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Become a member of the Academicians’ Room
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![El Anatsui Hon RA works in the Academicians' Room]()
Your membership entitles you to...
• Exclusive access to the clubroom for you (+ 5 guests) • Unlimited entry to exhibitions • Member breakfasts and extended exhibition access • Preview access to exhibitions + VIP morning views • Member events and priority booking for all RA events • Private hire access in the Keeper’s House • A subscription to RA Magazine; four issues a year
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![El Anatsui Hon RA works in the Academicians' Room]()
Become a member
Annual club membership is £450 with a £275 joining fee (inclusive of VAT).
Under 35? You can join as a young member for just £250 with a £175 joining fee (inclusive of VAT).
If you would like to join or renew your membership, please fill in the membership application form below or call the membership team on 020 7300 5920.
Members must be connected to the arts; by practising, working or supporting the visual, fine and applied or performing arts, architecture or creative industries. All memberships must be approved by the Nominations Committee.
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![El Anatsui Hon RA works in the Academicians' Room]()
Give membership as a gift
Give the gift of membership of an exclusive private members club in the heart of Mayfair, the perfect gift for all art lovers.
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Contact us
To contact the Membership Team, please call on 020 7300 5920 or email academiciansroom@raarts.org.uk. Please note the Membership Office is open Monday to Sunday, 11am – 4pm. The RA is operating with reduced staff during this period so our response times may be a little longer than normal.
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![Detail of Frank Bowling Pink over Yellow display]()
Frank Bowling OBE RA: ‘Flow Pink over Yellow’
Now on display
We’ve adorned the walls of the Academicians’ Room with paintings by Frank Bowling OBE RA.
What is so spectacular about these works – and all of Frank’s art – is the sense of experimental process. The intimate space of the Royal Academicians Room offers a chance to get close to these works, enjoy and examine them, see stitches and sparkles.
All the works on display are from the last decade and demonstrate Bowling’s lightness of touch and sense of fun. We loved the intentional playfulness, and the way the flow and stripes on the canvas contrast with the vertical pattern in the room.
Watch out for Pablo’s Dancer II, where poured paint cascades over digitally printed stripes. Frederik Bowling, the artist’s grandson who works closely with him in his studio, says that “Frank has always been interested in new technologies, and the printed canvas was a marvel, as it allows for incredible colours and wild patterns.”
“His use of pink is so extraordinary,” comments Frederik. “You can see it in this work, and throughout the show, where pink sits on top of a striking colour, amplifying and accentuating the pours and splashes within the work.”
To find out more about purchasing a painting, or to book a viewing click here.
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![Salon series: Grayson Perry on art and gender]()
Salon series: Grayson Perry on art and gender
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Art of Sound: Live Jazz
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Salon series: a tale of two collectors
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Afrobeat DJ night
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On the Big Green Sofa with Mary Nightingale: a conversation with Maxine Peake
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James Massiah: Poets’ evening
![On the Big Green Sofa with Mary Nightingale: a conversation with Akram Khan]()
On the Big Green Sofa with Mary Nightingale: a conversation with Akram Khan
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On the Big Green Sofa with Mary Nightingale: a conversation with Lord Melvyn Bragg CH
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Past member programming
We’re known for our eclectic programme of events, with exciting talks, DJ sessions and conversations with leading cultural figures.