( also the Royal Academy of Arts ) ( abbr the RA )
an organization formed in 1768 to encourage the arts of painting, sculpture and architecture in Britain. Its first president was Joshua Reynolds . The Academy’s buildings at Burlington House , London, contain an art school and a number of galleries, where a popular exhibition is held every summer showing work sent in by the public. Members of the Academy are often famous artists, and are allowed to put the letters RA after their names.
See also Royal College of Art , Royal Scottish Academy , Royal Society of Arts .