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Enjoy activities, including live music, family events, and film screenings, before or after seeing our exhibitions at this one-day special event.
The Everyday Dancer
Friday 30 September
Deborah Bull CBE, former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet and now Creative Director at the Royal Opera House, joins broadcaster Christopher Cook to preview her forthcoming book ‘The Everyday Dancer’, and give a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a dancer. A book signing follows this event.
* Listen to recording here
Degas Dancers
Tuesday 1 November
Join Royal Opera House Ballet Mistress and ballet historian Ursula Hageli and exhibition curator Ann Dumas alongside Royal Ballet dancers as they recreate the world Degas inhabited, and bring to life this unique exhibition in the context of the rehearsal room. In collaboration with Royal Opera House Insights.
Held at the Clore Studio Upstairs, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
* Watch a video of some highlights from this event
Darcey Bussell in Conversation
Wednesday 14 September
In collaboration with Royal Opera House Insights , Darcey Bussell CBE, renowned as one of the greatest English dancers of all time, discusses the representation of ballet in the 21st century with Kevin O’Hare, newly-appointed Director of The Royal Ballet.
* Listen to recording here
The Body in Movement: Degas, Dance and Photography
Friday 18 November
This one-day symposium considers Degas’s progressive engagement with the figure in movement, set against parallel advances in photography and early film. Fin-de-siècle France, Parisian dance photography, and Etienne-Jules Marey and dynamism are just some of the topics to be discussed. Participants include Marta Braun (Ryerson University), Professor Richard Thomson (University of Edinburgh), Mathias Auclair (Bibliothèque Nationale de France), scholar Sandra Noll Hammond and Ursula Hageli (Royal Opera House).
Life Drawing: Degas and Movement Saturday 1 October
or Saturday 29 October
Inspired by Degas’ depictions of dancers, Francis Bowyer, Life Drawing Tutor at the RA, leads this workshop in drawing the figure in motion. This class is designed for those with previous experience of drawing the figure.
Street Photography
Saturday 22 October
Lead by Professional photographer Roy Matthews this event is comprised of a practical session on the street, followed by a critique at the RA. This workshop is designed for all abilities and camera types (although digital is preferred for immediate image review on the day).
Degas and the Ballet Family Workshop
Tuesday 25 or Thursday 27 October
Discover Degas in a workshop comprising an interactive slide talk, a visit to the exhibition and a hands-on session.
Reynolds Room; 1–2 pm; reserve a seat online or call 020 7300 5839
Degas and the Dance: A Classical Artist in an Age of Technology
Monday 3 October
Ann Dumas, exhibition curator.
* Listen to recording here
Degas and the ‘Freeze Frame’
Monday 10 October
Professor Kathy Adler, art historian.
* Listen to recording here
La Vie Parisienne: The Devil and Opera in Degas’s Time
Monday 31 October
Marie-Claude Elliot, the Wallace Collection.
* Listen to recording here
Seeing ‘The Little Dancer’
Monday 21 November
Jill DeVonyar and Richard Kendall, exhibition curators.
Exhibition Tours 2.30 pm Wed, 7 pm Fri (21 Sep–2 Dec)
45-minute introductory talks; free with an exhibition ticket.
Spotlight Talks 4 pm every Thursday.
10-minute talks on individual works; free with an exhibition ticket.
The Royal Academy offers an exciting programme of exhibition visits, gallery talks, workshops and educational resources for teachers and students. Please call 020 7300 5995, email learning@royalacademy.org.uk or click here for more details.
The RA offers a range of access resources, including large print label guides and audio guides with descriptive tours, for use in the galleries and a programme of events for visitors with disabilities. Access events can be booked online.
Visitors with limited mobility can book parking spaces and wheelchairs on 020 7300 8028. Contact the Access Officer on tel/text 020 7300 5732, fax 020 7300 8013 or email access@royalacademy.org.uk
InMotion at the RA: Degas Private View for Wheelchair Users
Friday 11 November
Explore the exhibition ‘Degas and the Ballet’ with an introductory tour by Harry Baxter followed by coffee in the Saloon.
9–11am; £3 (incl. refreshments); volunteer wheelchair pushers support these events.
InTouch at the RA: Degas Handling/Creating Session
Monday 26 September
Artist educators Bridget Crowley, Harry Baxter and Jonathan Huxley deliver this audio description, handling and creating session focusing on ‘Degas and the Ballet’. Visitors can then create a work of art inspired by the exhibition.
The Saloon; 9am–1pm; £5 (incl. refreshments); volunteer support provided
6–7 pm; £3; numbers are limited, booking essential
Deaf Hosts Nurul Hussain and Philip Nix support these events
Friday 14 October
Interactive BSL talk about ‘Degas and the Ballet’ by John Wilson, followed by a visit to the exhibition.
Friday 21 October
Interactive slide presentation about ‘Degas and the Ballet’ by Serena Cant with lipspeaking support from Maggie Short, followed by a visit to the exhibition.
InPerson at the RA: Events for Everyone with Additional Support Needs Friday 18 November
Create an ultra-violet mobile installation at this Friday-night-late workshop, followed by a chance to visit the exhibition. This event can be adapted to support individual access needs. Led by Jonathan Huxley, Harry Baxter and Becky Jelly.
Learning Studio; 6–8 pm; £5; refreshments provided
