The Summer Exhibition occupies a special place in the collective imagination. Year after year, it reflects all that is exciting and essential in British and international art and architecture right now.

The Summer Exhibition is an open-submission exhibition. That means you’ll see drawing, painting, prints, sculpture, film and so much more from all kinds of artists, from members of the public exhibiting for the first time to artists of global renown, many of whom are Royal Academicians.

The Summer Exhibition’s popularity has much to do with the art itself, a lot of which you can buy and take home. But it is also a truly social occasion, a staple of the great British summer. No edition of the Summer Exhibition is alike. But the ambition is always the same – to celebrate great art with great joy.

Our Friends preview days take place Saturday 15, Sunday 16 and Monday 17 May.