Members and Associates of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "RBSA" and "ARBSA" respectively.

Initially this work was carried out by the society itself, but in 1842 group split and the Birmingham School of Art was founded as a separate institution a year later, falling under municipal control from 1877.

Increasing financial pressure in the early years of the 20th century led to the society's landmark New Street building being demolished and rebuilt as part of a commercial redevelopment, and in 2000 the society left the site completely, relocating to a converted warehouse near St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter (grid reference SP063874).

The two bronze plaques on its exterior, made in 1919, are the earliest known Birmingham works of William Bloye, later the society's president[6] and Professor of Sculpture.

They include:[7] The RBSA continues its core activities today as an independent, artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events and workshops.