The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) is a British art body established in 1823 as the Society of British Artists, as an alternative to the Royal Academy.
The RBA commenced with twenty-seven members, and took until 1876 to reach fifty.[2][3] Artists wishing to resign were required to give three months' notice and pay a fine of £100.[3] The RBA's first two exhibitions were held in 1824, with one or two exhibitions held annually thereafter.[4]
The RBA currently has 85 elected members who participate in an annual exhibition currently held at the Mall Galleries in London. The Society's previous gallery was a building designed by John Nash in Suffolk Street. Queen Victoria granted the Society the Royal Charter in 1887.