The Proposal Form is available to Members only. Candidates must be proposed and seconded by existing Members. Proposers can find the online Proposal Form, along with a step-by-step guide, in the Members’ area of the website.

The Candidate will be invited by email to complete their own section of the Form. This section is very important, and the Candidate should give as much information as possible about their work, including a relevant website. If they are not a practising artist, a note on any connections they have with the visual arts is helpful. They may also upload a CV. The clearer the information they provide, the greater the chance of their election.

After the Proposer has submitted the Form, the Membership Secretary will contact the Candidate with their page number for the Candidate Book, and the proposal will be passed to the Membership Committee. The current waiting time is approximately 12 to 18 months for Ordinary Candidates and 3 to 5 years for Associate Candidates. When the Committee is ready to interview, the Membership Secretary will contact the Candidate directly, and the Proposer will be invited to attend with them.

There are two categories of membership – Ordinary and Associate.

Ordinary Members are ‘practitioners of the plastic and graphic arts’. This was originally interpreted as meaning painters, illustrators, sculptors and architects. The definition has been widened in recent years to include photographers, film makers and designers.

Associate Membership is open to ‘men and women of the literary, musical or dramatic professions and other professional men and women interested in the arts’.

When we receive your application we will decide whether you are an Ordinary or Associate candidate based upon your primary occupation.

Each year, of the approximately 150 Members who are elected, 110 are Ordinary and 40 Associate candidates.

Membership and joining fees for 2026-27 are as follows:

• Town £950 pa – For those with a residential address within 30 miles of Charing Cross
• Country £711 pa – For those who live outside London, or Associate Members living overseas
• Overseas £632 pa – For Ordinary Members living overseas
• Under 28 £348 pa – From age 28-32 subs rise a little each year; full subs are payable at 33

The Young Members’ fully discounted rate is payable up until age 28. From ages 28 to 32 inclusive the discount lessens slightly each year until on reaching age 33 the Member pays the full rate appropriate to their place of residence. The applicable age for these calculations is the Member’s age on 1st April in a given year.

The joining fee for Ordinary Members over 32 years of age is £475. For Associate Members over 32 years of age it is £950.

If you have any questions about membership, or need any assistance in completing the proposal form, please email Membership Secretary, Rob Kennedy.