Then and now: the new RA Schools

Published on 19 May 2024

To celebrate the reopening of the RA Schools Julia and Hans Rausing Campus after major renovation we’ve delved into the archives to compare yesteryear to the present day.

The Cast Corridor

Russell Westwood, A student working on a sculpture in the School's Cast Corridor — .
© The Artist's Estate. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London

The restored Cast Corridor in the RA Schools — Photo: David Vintiner

The Shaw Studio

Russell Westwood, Sir Henry Rushbury R.A. talking to students in the Royal Academy Schools, 1953. — .
© The Artist's Estate. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London

Architectural casts

Bedford Lemere & Co., Photograph of casts in the Royal Academy Schools — . 269 mm x 214 mm
© Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London

Casts in the RA Schools — Photo: David Vintiner

The Dunard Fund Life Drawing Studio

Russell Westwood, Students in the Life Room, the Royal Academy Schools 1953. — .
© . © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London

The restored Dunard Fund Life Drawing Studio — Photo: David Vintiner

RA Schools students attending a talk in the Life Room

Britain's oldest art school

The RA Schools has been a key part of the Royal Academy since its foundation in 1769. We offer a full-time, three-year programme to 10–17 postgraduate students each year. We charge no fees.

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