1. To have an Annual Exhibition open to all artists of merit

2. To open an Academy of Fine Arts to instruct students free of expense

3. To open a Library devoted to the Fine Arts

4. To provide charitable funds for the benefit of less fortunate artists

5. To admit Honorary Members eminent by their talents.

The membership included Academicians (RSA), Associates (ARSA) and Honorary Members (HRSA). The first President was George Watson RSA (1767-1837).

The first Annual Exhibition was held in 1827, and as the Academy developed in stature its membership increased in the disciplines of painting, sculpture and architecture. By 1830 the Academy had begun to acquire books and prints for its library and in 1840 opened its Life School which aimed to improve the training of artists in Scotland. The Academy was granted a royal charter in 1838 and from thenceforth has been known as the Royal Scottish Academy. (rsa)

In 1850 Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of a new building on The Mound in Edinburgh, which was to house the newly formed National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy. The RSA first held its Annual Exhibition in its new galleries on the eastern side of the building in 1855 and these continued here until 1910. The RSA also had its Council room, Library and Life School in this building.

During the late 19th Century it became clear that art exhibition and art education provision in Edinburgh had become overtly complex and muddled. A Government Report of 1903 was followed by a Parliamentary Order of 1910 which transferred the Academy to new premises in an adjacent building, previously called the Royal Institution. (In return for being given a new home the Academy gifted 96 paintings and sculptures and about 2,000 drawings to the National Gallery of Scotland.) Renamed the Royal Scottish Academy this building has been the venue for the Academy's Annual Exhibitions since 1911. Art teaching was transferred to the newly established Edinburgh College of Art, and from this period onwards the Academy became less active in this role. Instead the RSA now assists young artists through scholarships and awards, and every year it mounts a very popular Annual Students' Exhibition.

In 1948 the Academy began to mount a series of special exhibitions for the Edinburgh International Festival. During the 1950's and 1960's memorable exhibitions included Degas (1952), Braque (1956) and Rouault (1965). In recent years the Academy has widened its membership to include printmakers, has its own shop, trading under RSA Enterprises, and the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy offer much support to its activities.