Royal Scottish Academy RSA

Housed in the imposing and iconic pillar-faced building in front of the National Gallery of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy (oft referred to as the RSA) was established in 1826 to provide a home for Scottish art and offer learning and funding for emerging artists. In time, teaching was transferred to the Edinburgh College of Art, but the Academy continues to assist young artists through a programme of awards, scholarships and exhibition opportunities. 

The core element of the collections is the Diploma Collection, comprising of a single work by each full member of the academy. Evolving from the long standing Student Exhibition, the RSA also hosts the much anticipated, annually-curated exhibition New Contemporaries, which is dedicated to emerging artists and architects living in Scotland. The gallery also regularly hosts a wide variety of interesting talks, tours and other special events for those who are interested in up-and-coming Scottish-based artists and architects.