Doors open: Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2017
14 June 2017
Running for almost 250 years, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open-submission art show. A prestigious event in the art calendar, the exhibition gives amateurs a rare chance to display their work alongside some of the most celebrated artists in the world.
This week the Royal Academy opened its doors for its annual celebration of art and eccentricity in a tradition that stretches back unbroken for almost 250 years.
The RA’s Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open invitation art event. Every year the academy is inundated with thousands of applications from known artists and aspiring amateurs hailing from all over the world – all competing for much-sought after wall space next to the giants of the art world.
All applications are sifted through a panel of artists who make their final selection at the end of an eight-day process that involves imbibing copious amounts of beef tea. Out of the estimated 12,000 applications, around 1,200 pieces of art will make the cut and take pride of place in the exhibition.
The co-coordinator of 2017's exhibition is painter, printmaker, and Keeper of the Royal Academy, Eileen Cooper. Along with her panel of selectors, Cooper aims to promote the discovery of up-and-coming talent from across the globe to sit alongside the internationally-known artists at the show.
This year, highlights from the established artists include Yinka Shonibare’s six-metre tall Wind Sculpture VI, a new large-scale work from Gilbert and George, and works from the like of Julian Schnabel and Sean Scully.
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition runs until Sunday 20 August 2017.
Kirsty Walk and Brenda Emmanus behind the scenes at the RA Summer Exhibition is on iPlayer until 10 July 2017.
Web exclusive: Cantilever Kiss
Performance Art at the RA: Cantilever Kiss
RA Schools student India Mackie and graduate Declan Jenkins explain their Cantilever Kiss
Behind the scenes at the RA
Tour the RA Summer Exhibition
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Arts highlights on BBC iPlayer
-
![]()
State of the Nation
Watch 12 mesmerising performances from Dancing Nation, a sampler of UK dance in all its forms.
-
![]()
Creating a Scene: BBC Introducing Arts
Chizzy Akudolu presents a new collection of dramatic short films.
-
![]()
Inside Games: Special Characters
From Mario to Lara Croft, what makes a great video game character?
-
![]()
Get Creative at Home Masterclasses: Cynthia Erivo
The Oscar-nominated actress gives a singing masterclass.
