Royal Society of Arts

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, commonly known as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), is a London-based organisation committed to finding practical solutions to social challenges.

Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
AbbreviationRSA
Established1754 (1754)
FounderWilliam Shipley
Founded atLondon, England
TypeRegistered charity
Legal statusRoyal Charter Company
Professional title
FRSA
Headquarters8 John Adam Street
London, WC2N 6EZ
FieldsArts and culture
Membership
30,000+ fellows
Official language
English
Chairman
Tim Eyles
Chief executive
Andy Haldane
Websitewww.thersa.org
Formerly called
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

The RSA's mission expressed in the founding charter was to "embolden enterprise, enlarge science, refine art, improve our manufacturers and extend our commerce", but also of the need to alleviate poverty and secure full employment. On its website, the RSA characterises itself as "an enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today's social challenges".

Notable Fellows (before 1914, Members) include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Marie Curie, Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, Judi Dench, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker, and Tim Berners-Lee. Today, the RSA has fellows elected from 80 countries worldwide.

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