The RWA is one of five Royal Academies of Great Britain and Ireland and has a membership of 150 Academicians elected by their peers.The Academy supports a community of artists at every stage of their careers and has recently launched a new Artist Members Scheme. View profiles of our existing Academicians and RWA Artist Network - please note that this area of our website is under construction, and not all artist profiles are available to view.
Becoming an Academician
Academicians are artists at the forefront of their profession who have achieved excellence in their field. Membership is by application and selection.
Academicians are elected on the basis that they are:
• Practising artists or architects of ability and experience
• Creators of art works judged to be of a consistently high standard
• Willing to undertake the commitments and responsibilities of elected membership of the Academy
Elected members are expected to contribute to the activities of the Academy. This includes exhibiting in the annual Autumn Exhibition and assisting in the work of the Academy with exhibitions, events and educational activities.
To find out more about Becoming an Academician and Academician Rights and Responsibilities and Academician Application Form please contact Gemma Brace.
Becoming a member of the RWA Artist Network
The RWA Artist Network is open to practicing visual artists. It provides an opportunity for artists to engage with the RWA, providing access to a wider peer network and professional advice and support.
Members are encouraged to support and engage with our exhibitions and learning programme and will benefit from contact with our Academician body who play a vital role in the RWAs artistic community.
The scheme is open to:
- Practising visual artists in any discipline
- Those actively pursuing a career as an artist
- Artists willing to contribute to and engage with the RWAs dynamic artistic community
RWA Artist Network entitlements:
- Free entry to all RWA exhibitions
- Invitations to RWA Private Views
- Half-price submission on all works submitted to open exhibitions
- A profile on the RWA website providing an opportunity to showcase your work
- Programme of designated professional development seminars
- Free entry to designated talks and events in the RWA programme
- Opportunity to join the RWA Peer Critique Group
- Free hire of Café Gallery for exhibition hire (note this space is programmed alongside other spaces in the RWA and a selection process will still exist)
- Monthly Ideas Drop-in with Director and RWA staff
- 10% discount with the Bristol Drawing School (part of the RWA)
- 10% discount in the RWA café and shop
- ART magazine delivered to your door
- A monthly e-newsletter providing news, updates and opportunities
- Use of ‘RWA Artist Network Member’ on curriculum vitae
Members are required to:
- Pay a monthly fee of £10 / or £120 annual membership
- Give a minimum of 5 days of their time per year to help the Academy through advertised volunteering opportunities*
- To act as ambassadors of the Academy, promote it and act in the best interest of the Academy, its staff and its members
- Membership is for 1 year minimum
*This can be used as an opportunity to enhance your practice with opportunities available as part of the learning programme, technical team and professional support.
How to apply:
Applications can be made at any time and will take a maximum of 1 month to process. All applications must be made online using the application form provided. Your application must contain artist CV, artist statement (no more than 300 words) and between 5-10 images of your work, labelled with medium, size and date. Please email the application form to gemma.brace@rwa.org.uk
Your CV should include:
- A brief summary of your personal history with details of training, qualifications and career as artist
- History of exhibiting, any prizes or awards received, connections with commercial galleries or other art organisations
- A list of commissions and membership of art institutions and other professional bodies.
We will use the first 5 images supplied and your artist statement for your web profile. This may be amended at a later date.
Please note that some selection in relation to quality of artwork does apply. Due to resources the RWA are only able to provide limited feedback to unsuccessful applications.