Royal Academy of Arts as somewhat anachronistic. But efforts are made to award each prize to a student producing work that bears a relation to the intentions of the original benefactor. The Royal Academy has an important collection of books, archives and works of art accessible for research and display. A large part of these collections have been digitised and can be investigated through the Collection website. The first president of the Royal Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, gave his noted self-portrait, beginning the Royal Academy collection. This was followed by gifts from other founding members, such as Gainsborough and Benjamin West. Subsequently each elected
Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition is the largest, open art exhibition in Northern Ireland, attracting many hundreds of artist entrants from Ireland and elsewhere. Presidents of the Academy have included Sir John Lavery R.A, Morris Harding, William Conor, Mercy Hunter, T.P. Flanagan, Joe McWilliams and Rita Duffy. The present president is Julian Friers RUA. Academicians include Basil Blackshaw, Victor Sloan, TP Flanagan, Graham Gingles, Jean Duncan, Neil Shawcross and Jack Pakenham. The RUA Mission Statement is: The Royal Ulster Academy is an artist led organisation which promotes both traditional and contemporary approaches to visual art through its exhibition and education program. At the