Royal Academy of Arts
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Royal_Academy_Simon_Fieldhouse2536.jpg")
![Satiric drawing of Sir William Chambers, one of the founders, trying to slay the 8-headed hydra of the Incorporated Society of Artists](/Images/godic/202502/04/A_scene_of_a_pantamime_entertainment_lately_exhibited_LCCN20027161412536.jpg")
![Study for Henry Singleton's painting The Royal Academicians assembled in their council chamber to adjudge the Medals to the successful students in Painting, Sculpture, Architecture and Drawing, which hangs in the Royal Academy. Ca. 1793.](/Images/godic/202502/04/The_Royal_Academicians_assembled_in_their_council_chamber_to_adjudge_the_Medals2537.jpg")
![An early RA Summer Exhibition at the Academy's original home in Somerset House](/Images/godic/202502/04/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800.2537.jpg")
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. It has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects; its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.