Royal Academy of Arts to that drawn up by Cheere in 1755. It was Sir William Chambers, a prominent architect and head of the British government's architects' department, the Office of Works, who used his connections with George III to gain royal patronage and financial support for the Academy in 1768. The painter Joshua Reynolds was made its first president, and Francis Milner Newton was elected the first secretary, a post he held for two decades until his resignation in 1788. The instrument of foundation, signed by George III on 10 December 1768, named 34 founder members and allowed for a total membership of
Royal Ulster Academy Royal Ulster Academy The Royal Ulster Academy (RUA) has existed in one form or another since 1879. It started life then, as The Belfast Ramblers' Sketching Club. In 1890 it became The Belfast Art Society; later in 1930 it was changed to "The Ulster Academy of Arts" and Sir John Lavery was elected its first President: finally, in 1950 King George VI conferred the title, The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, upon the institution. Today the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA) is a flourishing artists' organization. Many of Ireland's most distinguished artists are exhibiting members of the Academy. Its