Royal Society of Arts including Cheere and William Hogarth, or were involved in small-scale private art academies, such as the St Martin's Lane Academy. Although Cheere's attempt failed, the eventual charter, called an 'Instrument', used to establish the Royal Academy of Arts over a decade later was almost identical to that drawn up by Cheere and the RSA in 1755. The RSA also hosted the first "exhibition of contemporary art" in 1760. Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds were among those who exhibited at this first exhibition, and were subsequently founder members of The Royal Academy of Arts in 1768. The Society was a pioneer
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