the royal society of arts and informal education

Founded in 1754, the Society has had a profound impact through its pioneering use of public exhibitions, awards schemes and developmental projects.

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, 9 John Adam Street WC2. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley (with Viscount Folkestone and Lord Romney), the aim of the Society was to 'embolden enterprise, to enlarge science, to refine art, to improve manufacture and to extend our commerce'. It was the first organization set up in Britain with a similar aim. The first meetings of the Society were held over a circulating library just off Fleet Street. Its offices were situated in Covent Garden. In 1774, the Society moved to the present house, built as part of the Adelphi development. By 1762 there were some 2,500 members or Fellows.  Joshua Reynolds and Benjamin Franklin were early members. The Society was given a royal charter in 1847 (Prince Albert was its President from 1843 to 1861). In 1908, the Society was granted the right to call itself the Royal Society of Arts. Today, there are some 30,000 fellows.  

The Society's achievements include:

• The planting of 50 million trees in an awards scheme run by the RSA from 1758 to 1821 - many of today's woods are the direct result.
  
• The mounting of the first organized contemporary art exhibition in Britain in 1760. 69 artists exhibited including Reynolds, Roubiliac and Cosway. The Royal Academy of Arts was founded following the exhibition.
  
• Initiating the organization of The Great Exhibition of 1851.
  
• Holding the first photographic exhibition in Britain in 1852.
  
• Organizing the first educational exhibition in Britain in 1854.
  
• Launching national examinations in 1856 (RSA qualifications are now quite separate).
  

• Erecting 'Blue Plaques' commemorating the residences of famous people. This began at the instigation of William Ewart MP in 1866. By 1901 they had erected 36 plaques when the function was taken over by the London County Council. The first plaque commemorated Byron (24 Holles Street W1). The oldest plaques remaining commemorate Napoleon III, and John Dryden (in Gerrard Street)

• Helping to set up a new National Training School for Music in 1876 (from which the Royal College of Music evolved.

• Staging the first major exhibition of industrial design in 1935 in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Arts.The Design Council and the RSA's Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry had their origins in this effort.
  
• Helping to organize the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The Society continues its work today through various schemes and initiatives. In the education field this currently includes the Campaign for Learning, Opening Minds: education for the 21st century, Redefining schooling, and Redefining work. It recently hosted a large initiative seeking to foster better home-school relations.

Return to the walk

Note: This page is part of our virtual walk around the history of informal education (in central London). 

Walking for real: If you would like to do the informal education walk for real then why not join us on our next scheduled walk. It's free! Follow the link for joining details.

© Mark K. Smith. First published August  30, 2000. Last update: April 25, 2008

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