Galleries across the UK come together to mark 250 years of the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts is celebrating its 250 year anniversary and has launched an interactive map to help art-lovers navigate upcoming exhibitions and events across the country that will celebrate artists and architects who helped shape the historic gallery. In a statement on its website, the RA writes: “Royal Academicians have come from far and wide. Their homes, studios, works of art, exhibition spaces and educational experiences can be found across the British Isles and beyond.”

Among the institutions joining in with the national celebrations are: The National Portrait Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture, Great North Museum, Royal West of England Academy, Walker Art Gallery and the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. The different establishments will shine a spotlight on the RA by putting on exhibitions that commemorate the RA’s contribution to art, such as Russel-Cotes’ upcoming exhibition Making and Breaking the Rules: RA 250, which opens on 4 May 2018 and will explore the role of the RA’s immense collection and collaborations with contemporary artists.

The RA will also be hosting a series of events called In conversation with RAs. This will include guests like Gilbert & George, Alison Wilding, Eva Rothschild and Christopher Le Brun. Finally, the RA has also announced a new digital video series, Objects of Obsession, which will feature leading British artists exploring works of art that they have found particularly influential.