Royal Academy Schools
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Applications for entry are now closed and will reopen, September 2023.
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The Royal Academy Schools thrives on the commitment and intellectual inquiry of its students. Our aim is to provide an environment in which you can test and re-evaluate your practice in dialogue with a diverse group of contemporary artists. The programme is full-time, with regular lectures, group critiques, tutorials, and artists talks. Students attend and contribute to these activities, alongside the production of studio work. As a student at the RA Schools you will form part of a diverse group of motivated artists who aim to develop their work in an environment of discussion and investigation.
Tuition and studio space is free, and the RA Schools offers additional financial support through bursaries and contributions to the cost of some materials. This support does not fully cover the cost of living and studying in London and most students undertake part-time work outside of their commitments to the course.
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Studying at the RA Schools
Our high tutor-to-student ratio ensures that each artist’s individual practice is subject to in-depth critical discussion.
Photo: Catherine Garcia
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Things to know before you apply
This is a full-time, studio-based course
During your three years at the RA Schools, you will have your own studio in a shared open-plan space, whatever the nature of your practice. You will also have access to specialist workshops in a range of media, instruction in and technical support in realising new projects.
Peer learning is essential
The students and staff at the RA Schools represent a diverse range of positions and approaches. Students work closely with one another, with an emphasis on constructive critique and peer learning.
Each year group has a designated Senior Lecturer
These lecturers will work closely with you and your peers: Year 1 Margarita Gluzberg Year 2 Richard Kirwan Year 3 Brian Griffiths
A range of discussion and learning formats
A programme of tutorials, group critiques and talks from visiting artists, plus lectures from a range of thinkers form the structure of the working week and expose students to new voices and ideas and methodologies. In addition to core staff you will meet visiting artists for one-to-one tutorials.
RA Schools Renewal
Work on the vital restoration and renewal project for the RA Schools is planned to begin in 2022. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, together with conservation specialists Julian Harrap Architects, the project will preserve the heritage of the RA Schools and ensure it remains at the forefront of art education. While the renewal project is taking place, the students’ studios will temporarily move to other spaces within the Royal Academy and we will do everything possible to minimise the impact on the RA Schools programme.
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Facilities
Printmaking workshops
Sculpture workshops
Ceramics Workshops
Wood Workshop
Metal Workshop
Digital print workshop
Photographic dark room
Digital media suite
Royal Academy Library and collections
Studios
Bookable Project Spaces
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Lectures
Delivered by key thinkers, writers, scientists, cultural theorists, film-makers and so on, the lecture series covers theoretical, philosophical and political ground. Recent speakers:
Frank B Wilderson III Dawn Ades Esther Leslie Farshid Moussavi RA (Professor of Architecture) Federico Campagna Catherine Grant David Cross (Gallery Climate Coalition) Esther Leslie Professor Roger Kneebone David Cross (from UAL) Neal Shasore
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Artist talks
A programme of talks, screenings, performance. Last year’s artist talks included:
Dean Kenning Haegue Yang Lubaina Himid RA Mike Nelson RA Nina Trivedi and Jennifer Martin Phyllida Barlow RA Rabz Lansiquot, of Languid Hands Rachel Champion Simon Beckmann William Kentridge RA Wolfgang Tillmans RA Yinka Shonibare RA
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Crits
In 2022, students presented their work to their peers and the following artists:
Alex Frost Ali Eisa Simeon Barclay Christ Fite-Wassilak Clémentine Bedos Enrico David Hannah Sawtell Isobel Harbison Joy Gregory Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Milika Muritu Neill Kidgell Paul Clinton Philip Lai Phoebe Unwin Rut Blees-Luxemburg Sarah Jones Sean Steadman Sebastian Jefford Shezad Dawood Simeon Barclay
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Exhibitions
Premiums
A series of group exhibitions of work by students in their second year are held in the Weston Studio of the Royal Academy during the Spring term. This is an opportunity to select work to show and how to show it, evaluate progress and work as a group to install the shows.
RA Schools Show
At the end of your third year the RA Schools’ studios are transformed into large exhibition spaces that support individual or collaborative exhibitions for each graduating student, that attract thousands of visitors and invite professional scrutiny.
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Tutorials
Students engaged in tutorials with visiting artists, including:
Alexandre da Cunha Alison Wilding RA Andreas Reiter Raabe Appau Jnr Boakye-Yiadom Chantal Joffe RA Damien Roach Emma Hart Federico Campagna Fiona Banner RA Harold Offeh Jennifer Martin Lubaina Himid RA Mike Nelson RA Onyeka Igwe Sally O’Reilly Sarah Jones
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Texts
The text component of the programme is an opportunity to explore and research ideas that arise in the studio in written form.
A short written text, supported by an invited artist-writer and your year tutor, is completed during the first year of the programme.
In the second year, you will receive individual tutorials and feedback sessions to assist in the production of a longer text. This work is completed during the summer period prior to the third year of the programme, and presented to your peers in the first term of your final year.
In the second year, you will receive individual tutorials and feedback sessions to assist in the production of a longer text. This work is completed during the summer period prior to the third year of the programme, and presented to your peers in the first term of your final year.
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Travel opportunities
Travel prizes are awarded providing financial support to visit e.g. the USA. Our travel exchanges are currently suspended, however there may be an opportunity to apply in future.
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Staff
Keeper of the Royal Academy of Arts
Cathie Pilkington RACurator & Director of RA Schools
Eliza Bonham CarterSenior Lecturers
Margarita Gluzberg
Brian Griffiths
Richard KirwanHead of Fine Art Processes
Mark HampsonProgramme & Alumni Engagement Manager
David CooperProgramme Administrator Grace Benita
RA Schools Administrator Geraldine Vaughan
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Sculpture Workshop Manager
Richard ElliottSculpture Workshop Technician
Martha ToddDigital Print Tutors
Guler Ates
Madalina ZahariaPrintmaking Tutors
Leigh Clarke Katherine Van UytrechtDigital Media Instructor
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Professors
Professor of Anatomy
Roger L KneeboneProfessor of Architecture
Farshid Moussavi RAProfessor of Chemistry
Bronwyn OrmsbyProfessor of Computer Vision
Roberto CipollaEranda Professor of Drawing
Alison Wilding RAProfessor of Painting
Lubaina Himid RAProfessor of Perspective
Fiona Banner RAProfessor of Sculpture
Mike Nelson RAVisiting Professors
Elisabeth van Odijk Neil Walton
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