Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

[2] When the Royal Academy was founded in 1768 one of its key objectives was to establish an annual exhibition, open to all artists of merit, which could be visited by the public.

[1] In 1768, a group of artists visited King George III and sought his permission to establish a society for Arts and Design.

The committee is formed from the Council of Academicians (the governing body of the RA) and is traditionally chaired by the President of the Royal Academy.

By mistake, the two parts were judged independently, with the result that the statue was rejected and the plinth put on display.

[3] Some artists apply repeatedly before being selected: in 2024 Alison Aye's accepted piece Shifting to the Moon was her 31st submission.

[4] The RA Summer Exhibition usually opens to the public in early June, preceded by a series of private viewings.

Traditionally, artists walk in procession from Burlington House to St James's Church, Piccadilly, where a service is held.