RA Collection: People and Organisations
The Arts Club was founded in 1863, as a meeting place for London's artistic community. First established in 17 Hanover Square, Mayfair the Club moved in 1894 to 40 Dover Street, its current address. Founding members included Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and Lord Leighton PRA.
The club has included among its members many outstanding figures in the history of art, literature and science. Writers such as Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Thomas Hughes; musicians Paolo Tosti, Charles Hallé and Franz Liszt and artists such as John Everett Millais RA, Auguste Rodin and James McNeill Whistler, have all been members.
The Arts Club remains at the heart of contemporary cultural life in London with members comprising entrepreneurs, creatives and thinkers, from the worlds of art, architecture, and other industries. The Club stages quarterly art exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists, including Sir Frank Bowling RA, Shara Hughes, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Etel Adnan, Laurie Simmons and Sanlé Sorya.