The Royal Academy is Britain’s oldest fine arts institution and is celebrating its 250th Anniversary in 2018. The RA has an illustrious history that spans from the mid-18th century through to the 21st century.

The lecture will review its various homes before settling on its current location in Burlington House. This lecture explores a selection of its ground–breaking temporary loan exhibitions and considers its role and impact on the art scene, both on British soil and overseas. The talk will include a behind the scene look at the Summer Exhibition – held without interruption since 1769 – which displays works in a variety of media and genres by emerging and established contemporary artists. In addition, anecdotal stories will also be revealed by the lecturer based on her twelve year career with the institution. She will also consider the influence of certain world-renowned Royal Academicians, exemplary artists in their chosen field, and the pivotal role that is played by the RA Schools. The impressive roll call of RAs over the past 250 years includes household names such as Reynolds, Constable, Turner, Munnings and, more recently, Hockney, Paolozzi, Foster, Craig-Martin and Gormley. By charting its history through intriguing and important archival photographs and considering its place in Britain’s rich artistic heritage, we can mark this significant anniversary and consider its future with much excitement and anticipation.

Lecturer Pamela Campbell-Johnston has an MA Hons Art History from St Andrew's University. She is a freelance art consultant and lecturer and recently curated a collection for the Lansdowne Club. She has over 20 years of lecturing experience and over 12 years' experience at the Royal Academy.

Image : The Royal Academy