We are an independent fine arts institution which supports contemporary artists and promotes interest in the arts through a comprehensive and ambitious exhibition programme. Our education work, and the RA Schools, ensure that the skills and knowledge of today's most talented artists are passed on to the next generation.

The Royal Academy is completely autonomous, politically independent and self-funding. We are supported by private sponsorship. Our Friends organisation - the third largest in the world - numbers more than 85,000 members.

The Royal Academy is governed by the Royal Academicians, who are all eminent practising painters, printmakers, sculptors and architects. There are 80 Academicians, who are elected to one of the following categories: painting, sculpture and architecture. Membership is open to any artist who is professionally active in the United Kingdom.

We are the only organisation with such a long and prestigious history as a centre of artistic excellence in the United Kingdom. We have been at the heart of cultural life since our foundation in 1768, with Sir Joshua Reynolds as our first President.

Our famous Summer Exhibition is a hugely popular show of contemporary art held every year since 1769. We are also renowned for our many major loan exhibitions, which are acclaimed both here and abroad.

Today our exhibitions attract more than a million people each year, putting the Royal Academy among the top ten attractions for paying visitors in London. 'Monet in the 20th Century', which ran from January to April 1999, attracted over 800,000 visitors, making it the most successful Impressionist exhibition in the world, and the most highly attended exhibition in Britain of any kind.

Our home is Burlington House, a magnificent listed building in the West End of London.