The Royal Society of Arts celebrates Open House Festival and Heritage Open Day by opening its doors to the public and hosting a day of free activities.
No booking necessary. Just turn up on the day!
This is a unique opportunity to visit the RSA’s historical House and join in a series of exciting events, including free tours, archival displays, artist talks and family-friendly activities !
An architectural gem designed as part of the Adelphi complex, RSA House boasts incredible historical rooms and murals, including some of the iconic Adam features, fireplaces and staircases. The RSA has a wealth of history and anecdotes, having welcomed, as part of its Society, fellows such as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Benjamin Franklin, and more recently Judi Dench and David Attenborough.
The RSA will be open from 11am to 4pm, with a series of activities. Please find our full schedule below:
ALL DAY:
- Tours on the hour (11am-3pm), meet at Reception: Learn about the history of the RSA and go on a tour of the House.
- Archival engagement, the Great Room: Get an exclusive look at some of our famous archives and portraits, and get a chance to paint your own self-portrait.
- Reading Connects, Steps: Participate in a live reading of a book chosen by RSA Fellows.
- Connection Summer Exhibition, Vaults: See our exhibition in partnership with Art Friend, and enjoy some grooves from a DJ downstairs in the Vaults.
- Chill zone, Prince Philip Room: Come unwind while looking at our beautiful ceilings.
ACTIVITIES:
- 11am – 1:30pm, Arts & Craft Activity with Art Breath, Tavern Room: Family-friendly artmaking activity involving making a collective art fabric piece.
- 11am – 1pm, Art Demonstration, Dr Cross Room: Drop-in as Artist Helena Traill FRSA creates work in parallel with her current showcase.
- 11:45am – 1:30pm, Artist Talk & Demonstration, TBD: Carole Bury FRSA does a demonstration of her famous Princess Pleater and talks through her practice.
- 1 – 2pm, Making Health Places for People, Durham Street Auditorium: A panel and presentations led by the RSA Architecture and Urban Planning Group.
- 2 – 2:30pm, What Happens When Artists Collaborate?, Vaults: Join multidisciplinary artists and creatives as they discuss collaboration in contemporary art. A conversation with JC Candanedo FRSA, Max Gershon and Andrew Etherington.
- 2:30 – 3:30pm, Making Earth Thrive from Space, Durham Street Auditorium: A panel and presentations led by the RSA Space group.
- 3 – 3:30pm, Artist Talk, Muse Bar: Liliana Dobbs discusses her practice alongside her current RSA exhibition.
Come hear more about the RSA’s bustling history, our current Fellowship offers, grab some drinks at our Coffeehouse and Muse bar while exploring the House’s beautiful architecture, artworks and archives.
