Royal Academy of Arts, Art museum in Piccadilly, London.
The Royal Academy of Arts fills Burlington House in the heart of Piccadilly with exhibition rooms, studios, and teaching areas spread over several floors of the historic building. The spaces blend classical architecture with contemporary elements, with some halls retaining their original ceiling paintings and wood paneling.
In 1768, a group of artists and architects founded the institution under the patronage of King George III to promote British art and train painters. The building moved locations several times before the academy settled in Burlington House in 1868, establishing its collection and activities there permanently.
The institution's Summer Exhibition has run for more than 250 years without interruption, displaying work from all artistic fields chosen by academy members themselves. The names of participating artists appear traditionally in alphabetical order, with no distinction between well-known and unknown creators.
The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday with elevators, ramps, and special facilities for visitors with limited mobility. Most exhibitions are accessible to wheelchair users, and staff assist with navigation through the different rooms when needed.
The building's courtyard received a wavy glass roof that channels natural light into the central hall and creates additional exhibition space. This covering changes the courtyard's mood depending on weather and time of day, making the space feel bright and airy at times, subdued at others.
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