About us

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events and workshops.

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The RBSA runs an exhibition venue, the RBSA Gallery, in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, a short walk from the city centre. The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday and admission to all our exhibitions is free. Discover what’s on now.

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The RBSA Gallery Shop features contemporary craft by designer-makers based in the Midlands and beyond.

The Society

Dating back to the early 1800's, the RBSA is one of the oldest art societies in the UK and officially formed as the Birmingham Society of Artists in 1821.

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The RBSA has a central governing body, the RBSA Council, and a membership of elected artists, RBSA Members and Associates. The RBSA also has a Friends membership which is open for artists and visitors who want to contribute to the arts community in Birmingham.

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The Council includes the Officers of the Society and elected representatives from the Members and Associates. The following Officers were elected in July 2020:

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• President Wayne Attwood

• Vice President Robert Neil

• Vice President Michele White

• Hon. Curator Steve Evans

• Hon. Secretary Viv Astling

• Hon. Treasurer Andrew Matheson

RBSA Archive

The RBSA was established in 1814 with the Collection & Archive dating to the early 1800’s. There is an ongoing acquisitions programme and the Collection has grown significantly in the last 20 years. It includes drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery.

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To make an Archive enquiry, get in touch at

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See a selection of the Collection on our Art UK profile.