Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery

Title: Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery

Built in: 2000

Location: 4 Brook Street, Birmingham B3 1SA

Short intro: gallery of the historic Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

Description: The RBSA was established in 1821 but can trace its existence back to a life drawing academy established in Peck lane in 1809 (now the site of Grand Central and New Street Station) and In 1868 the RBSA received its royal charter and adopted its current name. The RBSA was highly influential in the later Victorian period, especially in the Pre-Raphaelite art movement. They boasted a membership of individuals significant to English art: from Wiliam Morris to Lord Leighton. The Society aimed to ensure continued art education in the area and established the Birmingham school of art in 1843. Increasing financial pressure in the early years of the 20th century led to the society's landmark New Street building being demolished and rebuilt as part of commercial redevelopment, and in 2000 the society left the site completely, relocating to its current home in a converted warehouse near St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter. This is now known as the RBSA Gallery and was opened by Charles, Prince of Wales, on 12 April 2000.