Royal Scottish Academy, RSA, Edinburgh, Photo, Building, Architect, Picture

Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh : RSA Exhibition

Playfair Building on The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland

post updated 10 January 2022

Royal Scottish Academy Lecture

The Royal Scottish Academy: Times of Change
7 Feb 2013 7-9pm
Hawthornden Lecture Theatre
National Galleries Complex, Princes Street Gardens Entrance, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Tickets are free but booking is essential – please call 0131 225 6671

The RSA is delighted to announce that the forthcoming Gillies Bequest Lecture will be given by Dr Tom Normand, Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of St. Andrews and author of a number of leading books on Scottish Art – most recently Portfolio, which examines key works from the RSA Diploma Collection.

Royal Scottish Academy
photo © Adrian Welch

The lecture will explore significant moments of change within the history of the Royal Scottish Academy and its continued relevancy to the visual arts in Scotland. Dr Normand will highlight the relationship between the Academy and the dynamic personalities that have instigated significant periods of change at the Academy, periods that were often occasioned by tension within the institution and Scottish society as a whole. In particular, the talk will investigate the various discussions about the nature of the visual arts that have occurred during the lifetime of the Academy, between different social groups, institutions and geographic locations. Dr Normand will show that in every such instance the Academy was at the centre of these social and cultural shifts.

To coincide with the lecture and the publication of Portfolio, the RSA will be presenting a short exhibition in the Projects and Finlay rooms of the RSA Building between 6-14th February. Curated by Dr Normand in partnership with the RSA Collections Dept, the exhibition, which shares its title with the book, will showcase selected works from the RSA Diploma Collection. Highlights will include William Henry Playfair’s architectural drawing for Surgeon’s Hall, Sir James Guthrie’s Midsummer oil painting and recent Past President Bill Scott’s bronze sculpture 20th Century Pad.

Dr Normand’s recently-published book Portfolio: Treasures from the Diploma Collection of the Royal Scottish Academy will be available for sale immediately after the lecture and copies can also be purchased from the RSA Gallery Sales Desk

Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition

EXHIBITION: PORTFOLIO – TREASURES FROM THE RSA DIPLOMA COLLECTION
6-14 Feb 2013
RSA Projects and Finlay Room, RSA Building, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Admission Free

17 Feb 2012

Royal Scottish Academy NEW CONTEMPORARIES exhibition

RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION

Showcasing the best emerging artists and architects in Scotland

The fourth annual RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES exhibition will take place at the Royal Scottish Academy Galleries in Edinburgh from 17 March – 11 April 2012. Presenting sixty-two graduates working across a wide range of media, this carefully curated exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the best of Scotland’s emerging talent under one roof.

Abigail Benouaich_Evolving Density-Quartier Spagnoli (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Abigail Benouaich

Andrew Morris_The Value of Material Objects (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Andrew Morris

Daria Byra_Archive Tower (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Daria Byra

Luca Di Somma_ Perspective Sectional Diagram (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Luca Di Somma_

Martin Flett_Interior view of bathing pools (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Martin Flett

Rowan Morrice_Four Towers (Sectional Elevation) (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Rowan Morrice

Sarah Clayton & Gillian Storrar_Photograph of mediating surface development model (2011):
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Sarah Clayton & Gillian Storrar

Scott Licznerski_The Depository of Memory_2011:
RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012 EXHIBITION
photo © Scott Licznerski

Art graduates have been chosen by exhibition convenor Glen Onwin RSA and architecture graduates by Kathryn Findlay RSA (Elect), with assistance from members of the Royal Scottish Academy and representatives from the five main colleges of art and six schools of architecture in Scotland. The chosen graduates are given the opportunity to launch their career at the prestigious RSA galleries by showcasing a selection of new work; including painting, sculpture, film making, photography, printmaking, architecture and installation.

Works will be for sale and the exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity to invest it Scotland’s up and coming talent at the early stages of their careers. The RSA is part of the Own Art scheme, allowing buyers to spread the cost of an artwork over ten interest free monthly payments!

RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES represents the RSA’s commitment to supporting and presenting the best contemporary work in Scotland. The RSA team works closely with the artists and architects towards developing a lasting relationship in the lead up to the exhibition and beyond. With over £11,000 worth of monetary prizes in addition to residency, studio and purchase prizes, the development of this exhibition is an important initiative for emerging artists in Scotland, enabling a ‘first exhibition’ opportunity for some 50+ emergent artists annually. The RSA are thrilled to announce and gratefully acknowledge Turcan Connell as our main Exhibition Sponsor, The Skinny as our Media Partner and Experian as an exhibition supporter.

“As convenor of the 2012 New Contemporaries I eagerly anticipate seeing the works of the selected artists installed in the Royal Scottish Academy galleries The works of this large group of emerging artists will be stimulating, thought provoking, challenging, and visually stunning.The exhibition shows the range and depth of the art and ideas generated by the most recent graduates from the five degree awarding Scottish Art Schools. A most interesting and exciting exhibition awaits the viewing public.”
Glen Onwin RSA, Exhibition Convenor

“The RSA is an excellent showcase to inspire Scottish students to aim high. It shows the standard in Scottish schools is world class.” Kathryn Findlay RSA (Elect), Deputy Convenor (Architecture)
“The RSA is to be commended for providing recent graduates with the opportunity to show their work in such a high-profile venue at the start of their careers.” Jim Birrell, Head of Painting & Printmaking, Glasgow School of Art.

RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2012
17 Mar – 11 Apr 2012
All RSA Galleries
The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12noon – 5pm.
Admission £4/£2 concession

EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee (11): Lisa Jane Birch, Suzanna Jennifer Clark, Daniel Cook, Aimée Hendeson, Rose Hendry, Holly E. Keasey, Hannah Imlach, Claire McDonald, Emma McGregor, Neil Nodzak, Louise Pearson, Claire Reid.
Edinburgh College of Art (18): Rachel Barron, The Creative Services of Hugo de Vertuil & Ian Rothwell, Crocker & Hurst, Clare Flatley, Rosamund Garrett, Sarah Hardie, Manuela De Laborde, Andrew Mason, McCallum & Stuart, Hannah Grace May Miller, Georgina Parkins, Stacey Strachan, Rachael L Thomas, Claire Wilson.
Glasgow School of Art (13): Eszter Biró, Hannah Brackston, Jonathon Cottrell, Romany Dear, Zara Idelson, Tom Hatton, Emelie Lundstrom, Amy Malcolm, Michelle Roberts, Timothy Savage, Aelfred de Sigley, Mary Stephenson, Eva Ullrich.
Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen (9): Lindsey Clark, Hannah Harkes, Marion Leiper, Lyczko & Susberg, Heather Pugh, Sophia Scott, Susannah Stark, Christopher Wells.
Moray College of Art, Elgin (2): Marnie Keltie, Deborah MacVicar.

EXHIBITING ARCHITECTS (9): Abigail Benouaich (Strathclyde), Byra Daria (Scott Sutherland), Luca Di Somma (Dundee), Martin Flett (Mackintosh), Scott Licznerski (ECA), Andrew Morris (Edinburgh), Morrice Rowan (Scott Sutherland), Storrar & Clayton (Edinburgh).

3×3: 3 ARCHITECTS, 3 PROJECTS, 3 IDEAS
18 Jun – 24 Jul 2011
Art & Design; Architecture & Landscape Architecture
Royal Scottish Academy Architecture Exhibition.

Royal Scottish Academy

Playfair Project – Weston Link
2004
Architects: John Miller & Partners

RSA Phase 1: 2001-03; RSA Phase II 2002-04

Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland

Royal Scottish Academy Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh
photos © Adrian Welch 2006

Royal Scottish Academy Royal Scottish Academy
photos © Adrian Welch 2006

Royal Scottish Academy Weston Link Edinburgh Playfair Project Edinburgh
Weston Link photos © Adrian Welch

The RSA is a sedate, well-proportioned ‘Greek’ style building, with new insertions by John Miller & Partners, Phase I completed Summer 2003; Phase II – including restaurant facing East onto Princes St Gardens – currently on site:

Royal Scottish Academy
RSA Building Edinburgh: image © Adrian Welch

jmiller”>Royal Scottish Academy redevelopment architects : John Miller & Partners

Royal Scottish Academy: Recent Refurbishment

A competition-winning Project to link the Royal Scottish Academy with the National Gallery of Scotland (both Grade One Listed), with a new Concourse Level under the existing Mound.

Royal Scottish Academy Royal Scottish Academy Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh images © Adrian Welch

Royal Scottish Academy in context from Princes Street Gardens:
Hub to far left, New College silhouette in middle, RSA in foreground to right
Royal Scottish Academy
Edinburgh buildings photo © Adrian Welch

The new Concourse Level will provide a new shop, restaurant suite, lecture theatre and educational rooms linking to both the existing Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery buildings with two new public staircases and lifts. It will provide new IT exhibition spaces and additional plant areas to serve these as well as adding a new entrance, circulation and reception areas from Princes Gardens East.

playfair model Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh: images from John Miller & Partners

Phase One of the Project upgrades the existing Royal Scottish Academy Building providing modern plant and environmental standards, new disabled access facilitites, a new lift for art handling as well as a new concourse link staircase and lift. It provides additional exhibition spaces and the means to mount several exhibitions simultaneously. Royal Scottish Academy Phase One will also deal with the conservation aspects of the existing structure, as extensive underpinning has already been necessary to prevent further movement to the original building.

RSA Edinburgh
Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh: image by Hayes Davidson

Drawings of the RSA Project exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2000 won two awards; the AJ Bovis Lend Lease Non-member’s Award and the Worshipfiul Company of Chartered Architects Measured Drawing Prize.

Playfair Project
Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh: image from Princes St Gardens © Adrian Welch

RSA Refurbishment total estimated cost £26m. Royal Scottish Academy Phase One started on site in May 2001 and opened Summer 2003.

Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition : 2007 Review

Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh: 2004 Update
The Playfair Project is now complete and open.
Royal Scottish Academy Building – Article on Playfair Project incl. Phase I Opening
by Adrian Welch for Building Design

Edinburgh Art Galleries:
National Gallery of Scotland
SNGMA + Dean Gallery
Scottish Portrait Gallery
RSA + Playfair Project
Fruitmarket Gallery

RSA under development in 2004:
RSA model
Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh image © Adrian Welch

Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition : 2006 News

The RSA John Kinross Scholarship
Royal Scottish Academy PR
Thirteen Scottish students win scholarship to live and study in Florence for three months.

The John Kinross Memorial Fund was established in 1982 by Mr JB Kinross CBE, HRSA in memory of his father, John Kinross RSA, a renowned architect who was greatly influenced by Florence. The fund is intended to assist young artists and architects in Scotland, within the disciplines of Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking and Architecture. The John Kinross Scholarship is open to students from the four main colleges of art and six schools of architecture in Scotland.

RSA Annual Exhibition: Reviews

Royal Scottish Academy Awards

Edinburgh Art Galleries

Edinburgh Walking Tours

Comments / photos for the Royal Scottish Academy Architecture – RSA Building page welcome