{{Short description|Centre for contemporary sculpture in London}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use British English|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox organization | name = Royal Society of Sculptors | image = RBS 4.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = Dora House, the RSS headquarters | established = {{Start date and age|1905|df=yes}} | headquarters = 108 Old Brompton Road<br/>South Kensington, London, UK | leader_title = President | leader_name = Laura Ford | leader_title2 = Vice President | leader_name2 = Almuth Tebbenhoff | former_name = Society of British Sculptors (1905–1911)<br/>Royal Society of British Sculptors (1911–2003)<br/>Royal British Society of Sculptors (2003–2017) | website = {{URL|https://sculptors.org.uk/}} }}
The '''Royal Society of Sculptors''' ('''RSS''') is a British charity established in 1905, which promotes excellence in the art and practice of sculpture. Its headquarters are a centre for contemporary sculpture on Old Brompton Road in South Kensington, London.<ref name=londonist>{{cite news|author=Oliver Gili |title=Steel at The Royal British Society of Sculptors |url=http://londonist.com/2008/03/steel_at_the_ro.php |work=Londonist |date=7 March 2008 |access-date=15 January 2015 }}</ref> It is the oldest and largest organisation dedicated to sculpture in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |author= Public Art Scotland |url= http://archive.publicartscotland.com/companies/45-Royal-British-Society-of-Sculptors/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115315/http://archive.publicartscotland.com/companies/45-Royal-British-Society-of-Sculptors/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 28 January 2015 |title= Companies: Royal British Society of Sculptors |access-date= 24 January 2015 }}</ref> Until 2017, it was known as the '''Royal British Society of Sculptors'''.<ref name=history />
The Royal Society of Sculptors is a registered charity with a selective membership of around 700 professional sculptors. It aims to inspire, inform and engage people of all ages and backgrounds with sculpture, and to support sculptors' development of their practice to the highest professional standards.
==History== It began as the Society of British Sculptors in 1905, in its first year it had 51 sculptor members.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dennis Wardleworth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9oJmPfmQ7SgC&q=%22founded+in+1905%22&pg=PA39 |title=William Reid Dick, Sculptor |publisher=Ashgate |date=2013 |page=39 |isbn = 9781409439714|access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= Galería Aina Nowack, Madrid |url= http://ainanowack.com/noticias/ |title= Noticias: "LO" miembro de la Royal British Society of Sculptors |date=November 2014}}</ref> They received royal patronage in 1911, and were renamed the Royal Society of British Sculptors<ref>{{cite web|author=Dr. Emmanuel Minne |url= http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib2_1219747847 |title=A brief history of the society from 1904 to the present |publisher=University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII |access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> The Society gained charitable status in recognition of its educational activities in 1963.<ref>{{cite web|author=Open Charities: A new project to open up the UK Charities Register |url=http://opencharities.org/charities/212513 |title=Royal British Society of Sculptors |publisher=Online database |access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> In 1976, the late sculptor Cecil Thomas donated Dora House, 108 Old Brompton Road which has been its headquarters ever since.<ref>{{cite web|author=Victoria and Albert Museum |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O71892/leonard-walker-1879-1965-bust-thomas-cecil/ |title=Leonard Walker (1879–1965) |publisher=V&A Search the Collections (online database) |date=2014 |access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> In 2003 they renamed again to the Royal British Society of Sculptors in recognition of growing international membership<ref>{{cite web|author=Charity Commission |url= http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=212513&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |title=212513 – Royal British Society of Sculptors: Other Names |access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> before becoming the Royal Society of Sculptors in 2017.<ref name="history">{{cite web | url=https://sculptors.org.uk/about/history| title=History | publisher=Royal Society of Sculptors | access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>
==Structure==
=== Patronage === The society has received Royal Patronage since 1911 and King Charles III is the society's current Patron.<ref name=rss-people>{{cite web |url=https://sculptors.org.uk/about/our-people |title=Our People |website=Royal Society of Sculptors |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref>
=== Governance === The society was founded as a company limited by guarantee in 1905<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00083239|title=Royal Society of Sculptors – Overview (free company information from Companies House)|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> and has been a registered charity since 1963.<ref>{{EW charity|212513|Royal Society of Sculptors}}</ref> It is a selective membership-based organisation, whose members elect its governing council. The council meets regularly to review applications and select new members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib2_1219747847|title=Royal Society of British Sculptors – Rules|author=Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851–1951|date=2011|publisher=University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database|access-date=17 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nyartsmagazine.com/?p=2783|title=The UK's Sculptural Newcomers|author=Selma Stern|date=2003|magazine=NY Arts Magazine|access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> The current president of the Board is Laura Ford.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sculptors.org.uk/about/our-people|title=Our People|publisher=Royal Society of Sculptors |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref>
=== Membership === There are two types of membership: Members (formerly known as Associates until 2014<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180218091335/https://rbs.org.uk/artists/past_members Royal British Society of Sculptors > Past Members] Retrieved 18 February 2018.</ref>) and Fellows, who are entitled to use the MRSS and FRSS post-nominal letters. Presidents of the society are entitled to use the post-nominal letters PRSS and Vice Presidents VPRSS.<ref name="membership">{{cite web|url=https://sculptors.org.uk/membership|title=Membership|publisher=Royal Society of Sculptors|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>
==Awards== ===Current=== ==== First Plinth: Public Art Award ==== Formerly FIRST@108: Public Art Award,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theartkey.com/?page=news_id&id=99|title="Huh? Wow!"- New UK Public Sculpture Prize Awarded|author=Tom Flynn|date=3 February 2009|publisher=The Art Key}}</ref> the First Plinth is a biennial £10,000 award to contribute towards the production costs of producing a large-scale sculpture, thereby offering competing sculptors the opportunity to extend their practice into competing for public art commissions. Open to any artist working in three dimensions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sculptors.org.uk/awards/first-plinth|title=First Plinth {{!}} Royal Society of Sculptors|website=sculptors.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> The award is supported by the Mirisch & Lebenheim Charitable Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publicartonline.org.uk/whatsnew/news/article.php/FIRST@108+Public+Art+Award.html|title=Public Art Online News - FIRST@108 Public Art Award|website=www.publicartonline.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> The current winner of the First Plinth: Public Art Award 2021 is Polly Morgan.
===== Past winners ===== Source:<ref name="sculptors.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://sculptors.org.uk/awards/first108/past-winners|title=Past Winners {{!}} Royal Society of Sculptors|website=sculptors.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> {{Columns-list|* Fabio Lattanzi Antinori (2019)<ref name="sculptors.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://sculptors.org.uk/awards/first108/past-winners|title=Past Winners {{!}} Royal Society of Sculptors|website=sculptors.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> * Rupert Norfolk (2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/playground-sculpture-wins-prize/|title=FIRST@108 Public Art Award 2017: Playground sculpture wins £10,000 prize - a-n The Artists Information Company|language=en-US|date=30 March 2017|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> * Tabatha Andrews (2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegalleryguide.co.uk/exhibitions/first108-public-art-award-2015-invitation-unveiling-dispensary|title=FIRST@108: Public Art Award 2015 – Invitation to the unveiling of The Dispensary|website=The Gallery Guide|date=31 August 2016 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> * Sam Shendi (2013) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/art/first-108-public-art-award-exhibition|title=First@108 Public Art Award Exhibition {{!}} Art in London|website=Time Out London|date=4 November 2013 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> * Jenske Dijkhuis (2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/first108-public-art-award-horizon-pavilion|title=First@108 Public Art Award: Horizon Pavilion - Exhibition at Royal Society of Sculptors in London|website=ArtRabbit|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> * Robert Worley (2009)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canarywharf.com/artwork/robert-worley-avatar/|title=Robert Worley: Avatar|website=Canary Wharf|language=en-US|date=2009|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> |colwidth=20em}}
==== Grizedale Residency ==== With thanks to the Brian Mercer Charitable Trust the Society offers an annual residency opportunity based at Grizedale Forest. This intensive six-week-long residency aims to foster experimentation and innovation in response to the natural environment.
'''Past winners'''
* Susan Stockwell (2021) * Florian Houlker (2021) * Karolin Schwab (2019) * Ben Allan (2019)
==== Spotlight Award ==== Founded in 2017, Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer is a private sculpture park in Buckinghamshire that surveys the breadth of contemporary sculptural practice. A new area of woodland has been opened out to create an environment for an artist to install a single large work or a series of works creating a solo installation. Society members and fellows are invited to propose new or recent work that is suitable for display outside over summer. The Spotlight exhibition is included on the route taken by all visitors to the gardens, but it is also separate and distinct from the rest of the sculpture trail, and as such applicants are encouraged to engage with the idea of it as a solo exhibition en plain air. The successful applicant works closely with director George Marsh. The current winner is Daniel Solomons.
'''Past winners'''
* Tim Ellis (2021) * Rosie Leventon (2020) * Amale Freiha Khlat (2019) * Marco Miehling (2018)
====Gilbert Bayes Award==== Established in 2000 as the RBS Bursary Awards,<ref>{{cite web |author=Degree Art |date=2014 |title=RBS Bursary Award |url=http://www.degreeart.com/blog/rbs-bursary-award |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223182305/http://www.degreeart.com/blog/rbs-bursary-award |archive-date=23 February 2015 |access-date=23 February 2015}}</ref> it was renamed in 2018 after the artist Gilbert Bayes, whose charitable trust supports the awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scholarships / Grants {{!}} Gilbert Bayes |url=http://gilbertbayes.com/scholarships.php |access-date=2020-01-25 |website=gilbertbayes.com}}</ref> This is an annual award made to a small group of emerging sculptors that the society has judged to be of outstanding talent and potential. It is designed to aid them in the transition to full professional practice, by giving them a package of professional support including an annual membership of the society. The award is open to sculptors of any age, nationality, with or without formal training and working in any medium. Past winners include: Alex Chinneck, Tessa Farmer and William Mackrell.
==== Eilean Shona Residency ==== The wilderness island of Eilean Shona has long been an inspiration for artists and writers. To further build upon this legacy, a members-only residency has been created - a month-long opportunity for a winning member of the Royal Society of Sculptors to live on the island and reflect upon and respond to the natural environment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eilean Shona Residency {{!}} Royal Society of Sculptors |url=https://sculptors.org.uk/awards/eilean-shona-residency |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=sculptors.org.uk}}</ref>
'''Past winners'''
* Mhairi Vari (2022) * Marie-Thérèse Ross (2023) * Robin Tarbet (2024) * Amanda Cornish (2025) * Hazel Reeves (2026)
==== Red House Residency ==== For Benjamin Britten – one of the foremost composers of the 20th century – a quiet place to compose was absolutely essential. He was fortunate enough to achieve this for most of his life, spending his last two decades at The Red House, down a quiet lane on the outskirts of Aldeburgh, Suffolk. This new creative retreat at The Red House is open to women members of the Royal Society of Sculptors to spend time in Suffolk on a peaceful, creative retreat.
'''Past winners'''
* Hannah Honeywill (2020) '''Thread Residency'''
''Thread'' is a residency programme and cultural centre that allows local and international artists to live and work in Sinthian, a rural village in Tambacounda, the southeastern region of Senegal. It houses two artists’ dwellings, as well as ample indoor and outdoor studio space.
'''Past winners'''
* Julian Wild (2020)
=== Past awards ===
====Brian Mercer Residencies==== Two annual scholarships for society members to experiment with stone or bronze under instruction from master craftsmen in Pietrasanta, Italy enable sculptors to learn the technical aspects of the carving or casting process were supported by the Brian Mercer Charitable Trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/art/brian-mercer-residencies-ed-jones-and-richard-stone|title=Brian Mercer Residencies: Ed Jones And Richard Stone|author=Time Out|date=2014|access-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>
'''Lady Feodora Gleichen Memorial Fund (1938–1988)'''
The Feodora Gleichen Memorial Fund was an annual award of £100 for women sculptors and was made from works shown at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition or any other exhibition at which works by female sculptors were shown. The Funds were administered by the Royal Academy from 1923 – 1938, after which management passed into the hands of the Royal Society of Sculptors. The fund was established following the death of Lady Feodora Gleichen, who was posthumously voted as one of the first female members of the Society alongside Christine Gregory and Flora Kendrick. Winners included Anne Acheson, Rosamund Fletcher, Karen Jonzen, Lorne McKean and Olivia Musgrave.
====Otto Beit medal==== For many years the society awarded the Otto Beit medal, named after and funded by the philanthropist Sir Otto Beit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.artbiogs.co.uk/2/societies/royal-british-society-sculptors|title=Royal British Society of Sculptors|author=Artist Biographies: British and Irish Artists of the 20th Century|access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> Winners of the medal include Michael Clark, Sean Crampton, Philip Jackson, Franta Belsky, David Annand, Dennis Huntley, John W. Mills, Anthony J Poole<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poole, A. John |url=https://pssauk.org/public-sculpture-of-britain/biography/poole-a-john/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Public Statues and Sculpture Association |language=en-US}}</ref>, Michael Rizzello and Judith Bluck.
====Sculpture Shock==== Launched in 2013, Sculpture Shock encouraged surprising site-specific spatial interventions in non-traditional spaces outside the confines of a gallery. Three sculptors were awarded £3,000 and a three-month residency in Kensington. The artists then exhibited in one of three environments: Subterranean (the unseen world underneath the city), Ambulatory (without physical confines in movement through space and time) and Historic (an illustrious building in London). Sculpture Shock was supported by private philanthropists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/10004333/Sculpture-Shock-Subterranean-art-from-David-Ogle.html|title=Art News: Sculpture Shock: Subterranean art from David Ogle|author=Christopher Williams|date=19 April 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Royal Society of Sculptors}} *{{Official website}}
{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Society Of Sculptors}} Category:British sculpture Category:Organisations based in London with royal patronage Category:Charities based in London Sculptors Category:Art societies Category:Grade II listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Category:1905 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Royal British Society of Sculptors