The RWA, as one of five Royal Academies in Great Britain and Ireland, has a membership of 150 Academicians. Academicians are an independent body of artists at the forefront of their profession, who have achieved excellence in their field, and who are committed to contributing to the future of the RWA. Academicians are elected on the basis that they are practicing artists of ability and experience, creators of artworks judged to be of a consistently high standard and willing to undertake the commitments and responsibilities of the elected membership.

Each year, we invite the shortlist of Academician Candidates to exhibit a selection of their recent works alongside the Annual Open Exhibition. During this time, the current Academician body will anonymously vote for the Candidates they would like to see become Academicians. The exhibition is in the Kenny Gallery on the First Floor. Admission is free.

This year's Candidates are:

• Jemma Appleby
• Helen Cass
• Alice Cunningham
• Chuck Elliott
• Christopher Hibbard
• Sarah Purvey
• Richard Kenton Webb

Information for Academicians: 

In order to vote in person - please collect a voting slip from the Welcome Desk on the ground floor. You can vote for up to 6 candidates. Please fill out and fold your voting slip, and hand it in to the Visitor Experience team at the front desk. Our team will ask for your name, this is so we can record which Academicians have voted this year. 

In order to vote online - Please see your emails for your online voting form, we are not able to share the voting form here. This email will also contain information on the candidates. If you have not received or cannot find this email, please contact artists@rwa.org.uk 

Voting closes on 3rd November

Head image: Alice Hendy, candidates exhibition install shot 2023