Royal Society of Arts
Other names: Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce
Foundation date: 1754
Function: Art society
Policy: The Society's aim was 'the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce'. See Hudson and Luckurst, 'The Royal Society if Arts', (1954), p. 281.
History or description: The Society was founded in 1754. In 1847 it was granted a Royal Charter; however, it was not granted permission to use the prefix 'Royal' in its title until 1908. The Society's 'Journal' was launched in 1852. The Society awarded medals throughout its history to support innovation in the arts and sciences. The Albert Medal (established in 1864), for example, was awarded for 'distinguished merit in the Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce'.
In 1881 the Society sponsored an Art Furniture Exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and awarded prizes to selected participants.
From 1887 to 1908 lectures on Applied Art were delivered at the Society and then published in its Journal. Hudson and Luckhurst note that 'during every session between 1887 and 1908 from four to six papers were read, dealing with subjects coming more or less within the scope of the application of Art to Industry'. See 'The Royal Society of Arts', (1954), p. 275. After the abolition of the Applied Arts Section, 'all artistic subjects were dealt with at the ordinary meetings of the Society', where lectures were also given. For example, D. S. MacColl lectured on Alfred Stevens, Mrs. Arundell Esdaile lectured on 'The Portrait in our Later Monumental Sculpture', in 1930 to 1931 (p. 275).
In 1936 the Society discussed the possibility of awarding titles for excellence in the field of Industry. In 1938 the Society was able to award the title 'Royal Designer for Industry' to the first recipients. In 1939 the recipients of the R.D.I. formed the 'Faculty of Designers for Industry of the Royal Society of Arts', with a 'Master' at its head.
In 1945 the Society organised a competition to design a concrete fence on behalf of the Cement and Concrete Association. The following year, it organised another competition (sponsored by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association) for the design of a new drinking fountain for parks. In c. 1946 the Society arranged a competition for the design of an Anglican cathedral in Colombo. The first prize was awarded to Messrs. Pinckney and Gott. See Hudson and Luckurst (1954), pp. 289-290.
Exhibitions, Courses, Meetings and other Events
Organized Industrial Design Competition (Royal Society of Arts), 1938-1946
1938 - 1951 (Circa)
The prizes were still running in 1951.
Organized Exhibition of British Art in Industry (Royal Society of Arts), 1935
1935
Organized Prizes for an essay on 'Training Art Students for Industry and Commerce', 1934
1934
Organized Competition for a statue of Field Marshall Lord Haig, London, 1929
1929
The Royal Society of British Sculptors was asked by the Office of Works, London, to nominate an assessor (William Reynold-Stephens) for the competition.
Organized Competition for a statue of General Botha, South Africa (Royal Society of Arts), 1927-1928
1927 - 1928
Organized Industrial Design Competition (Royal Society of Arts), 1924-1934
1924 - 1934
Organized Industrial Art Committee (Royal Society of Arts), 1918
1918
Organized Exhibition of Modern English Pottery (Royal Society of Arts), 1882
1882
Organised by the RSA and held at the society's premises.
Organized Art-workmanship Prizes (Royal Society of Arts), 1863-1870
1863 - 1870
Institutional and Business Connections
Collaborated with Society of Wood Carvers
1863
Held a joint exhibition at the Society of Wood Carver's premises.
Collaborated with The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society
1889
The R.S.A. offered £150 of prizes and twenty bronze medals for objects that were displayed in an exhibition organised by the Arts and Crafts Society. See Hudson and Luckhurst, 'The Royal Society of Arts', (1954), p. 272.
Collaborated with Victoria and Albert Museum
1916 - 1924
Hudson and Luckhurst note that 'when the Bord of Education decided to suspend the "National Competition", the Society arranged competitions in collaboration with the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, until 1924, when they were merged in the Society's own competition'. See 'The Royal Society of Arts', (1954), p. 278.
Involved in setting up War Memorials Advisory Committee
1944
Provided representative to War Memorials Advisory Committee
1944
Associated People
Associates included Harry George Murphy
1938
Awarded the title of 'Royal Designer for Industry'. In 1939 Murphy became the first 'Master' of the newly formed 'Faculty of Design for Industry of the Royal Society of Arts'.
Associates included Keith Murray
1938
Awarded the title of 'Royal Designer for Industry' (for glass and pottery).
Associates included Harold Stabler
1938
Awarded the title of 'Royal Designer for Industry' (for pottery and silver-smithing).
Lecturers included Katharine Ada McDowall Esdaile
1930 - 1931
Lectured on 'The Portrait in our Later Monumental Sculpture'.
Members of committee included George Alexander
1919 (Presumed) - 1921
Served as a Member of the Council.
Members of committee included Sidney Nicholson Boyes
1919 (Presumed) - 1921
Served as a Member of the Council
Members of committee included William Hamo Thornycroft
1924
Served as a Member of the Council.
Members of committee included William Hamo Thornycroft
March 1925 - December 1925
Served as a Member of the Council.
Members of committee included Gilbert Ledward
1945 (Circa)
Represented the Royal Academy on the Society's War Memorials Advisory Council. See Royal Academy, 'Annual Report, 1945', (1946), p. 8.
Officers included H.B. Wheatley
1887 - 1908
Secretary.
Citing this record
'Royal Society of Arts', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib4_1264767688, accessed 21 Sep 2023]
