Five unmissable summer experiences at the Royal Academy of Arts

The RA describes its Summer Exhibition (June 21-August 21, tickets from £20) as an ‘explosion of colour’, a universal appeal which really pops in the hotter months. Fitting, then, that co-ordinator Alison Wilding RA has gone for ‘climate’ as this year’s theme. For lovers of the weird and wonderful, there’s a structure made out of elephant dung bricks. Two whole rooms of work selected by Grayson Perry will interest TV fans, while kids (under-16s, who can enjoy the exhibition for free) will be fascinated by the immersive water installation outside. And the best bit? Most of the art in the show is for sale, so if you want to, you can bring a piece of the summer pie home.

Summer Exhibition sponsored by Insight Investment

In what will be the first comprehensive exhibition (July 15-October 16, tickets from £15) of his work this side of the pond, the RA’s exhibition spans more than 30 years of the North American artist’s catalogue to showcase the colourist’s calming landscapes and paintings of daily life stateside, taking visitors on a mesmerising journey around Maine and Cape Cod.

The Royal Academy Schools initiative provides free postgraduate art degrees for up to 17 early-career artists every year, and the RA Schools Show (June 17-July 3, free) is a chance to see graduating talent first. This year, the future of art, performance, photography and more takes a thrilling deep dive into augmented reality and robotics. It also gives a whole new meaning to the wishing well, and curiously blends the mythological with the psychological.

Works of art at the RA aren’t just found on the walls, either – they’re on plates, too. Venturing into central London for the first time, Spanish chef José Pizarro’s restaurant at the RA offers gorgeously presented dishes, including his internationally acclaimed tapas and jamón ibérico. For the vegetarians, there’s pickled aubergine sprinkled with Manchego cheese.

Budding collectors are spoiled for choice in the RA Shop, boasting beautiful works of art to start their own collection. The limited RA Editions help fund the incredible Royal Academy Schools postgraduate programme, and every purchase supports the RA.

A selection of works on show in the Summer Exhibition are available to buy as posters, prints and cards too. They also have plenty of reading lists, home and fashion accessories for those in pursuit of seasonal style.

Find out more about the Royal Academy of Arts’ upcoming exhibitions and events.