Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Press Release AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS Released 30.03.11 For over 150 years artists with the highest reputation have been chosen to become academicians of the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol (RWA). In May this year – and for the first time in over 100 years – up and coming artists can become associated with the prestigious gallery, in the new Artist Members’ scheme.   Professional artists who want to further their career can apply. Three times a year a panel of experts will chose the best new artists to become a Member. The panel will be drawn from within the RWA as well as external curators, academics and gallery owners.   The scheme is open to artists working in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, film making, architecture or applied arts. Aside from being associated with the RWA, the benefits include mentoring, a developmental programme of events, opportunities to exhibit, and to help shape the future of the organisation.   Director Trystan Hawkins, who has initiated the new scheme, said: “We are very excited about this fantastic innovation and welcoming the new artists who will become part of the future of this historic gallery.”   This is the flagship scheme heralding a fresh new approach taken by the RWA as it opens up and engages in new ways of thinking with artists, audiences and participants. The vision is to create a twenty-first century academy for all, creating a unique resource within the region.   For more details on how to apply, costs and criteria,  call 0117 973 5129 or visit www.rwa.org.uk. Editor's Notes High resolution downloadable images of a selection of the paintings are available at www.flickr.com/photos/rwapress/sets/  solely for use with media reports of this exhibition. To download high res pictures, please click on the image you require, then click ‘All sizes’ then click on ‘Original’, then ‘Download’. This press release copyright of RWA and used solely to promote this exhibition. For more information or to interview artists, please contact Louisa Davison on 0117 973 5129 (or 01672 811 515) press.office@rwa.org.uk. The RWA has seven galleries within the 19thcentury building. The five upstairs galleries – Sharples, Winterstoke, Stancomb-Wills, Methuen and Milner - host the main exhibition/s. Artists can apply to hire the downstairs New Gallery for their own exhibitions (which forms the New Gallery programme). In the basement are the RWA Friends’ Room (with occasional Friends’ exhibitions), and also the newly refurbished Fedden Gallery which often exhibits some pieces from the RWA’s permanent collection and is available to hire as a conference and meeting space. All gallery spaces are available for private hire for special events, such as weddings and parties. If members of the media would like a tour, please contact Louisa as above.   RWA also hires out pieces from its permanent collection as part of the ‘Art in Your Workplace’ scheme, see www.rwa.org.uk/workfrm.htm.  The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is one of only five Royal academies of art in the UK. It is a registered charity which has been self-supporting for over 150 years and possesses an outstanding Grade II* listed building, galleries and permanent fine art collection. The RWA has HM Queen Elizabeth II as its patron. The RWA is an established venue for the fine arts and embraces an artistic awareness of the widest nature. The exhibition programme provides a showcase for one-person and mixed exhibitions in a variety of media, which attract large numbers of visitors nation-wide. The Academy is situated in the academic heart of Bristol at the Clifton Triangle, where Queens Road meets Whiteladies Road, next to Habitat and opposite the Victoria Rooms. The latest news and events from RWA. artsnews@absolutearts.com from this list | Forward to a friend | Update your profile Our mailing address is: Royal West of England Academy Queen's Road, Clifton Bristol, England BS8 1PX Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2011 Royal West of England Academy All rights reserved.