Community engagement

Last updated 18 December 2023

Founded in 1837 as the world’s first publicly-funded Government School of Design, the RCA is now the world’s largest community of postgraduate art and design students. This international community has the ability to transform people and places through engagement with our innovative practice and research.

As a research-led university, engagement is at the heart of all the College's academic activities – from funded research projects to individual staff and student research, knowledge exchange and local engagement with schools, neighbours, community groups and organisations.

It is our ambition that our engagement projects are beneficial to all those involved, acknowledging a two-way process of engagement and sharing of knowledge.

We believe in the value of creativity and innovation by, with and for everyone.

Download our Community & Public Engagement Strategy (PDF)

Ways of working

Strategic: we focus on the areas where the RCA has the most relevance, passion, and value to share

Inclusive: we co-create with and support a diverse range of partners and participants

Collaborative: we work in partnership with existing organisations, people and places to make a lasting difference

Open: we build relationships of mutual trust and respect; share our skills and resources with others

Empowering: we build the conditions for everyone at the RCA to contribute and make change through sharing best practice in engagement design, delivery and evaluation

Mudlarks was a pilot project co-organised by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and Urbanwise

Mudlarks workshop at St John Walham Green Primary School, in collaboration with the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and Urbanwise. Photo: Michele Panzeri

What we offer

Events and exhibitions

We offer a lively programme of events, exhibitions and talks that are free and open to all. We also co-create projects with local communities to deliver activity aligned to the College's strategic aims. We work with local authorities and community organisations to map and understand where our contribution can have the most impact. You can read about recent projects in our selection of case studies. If you are interested in connecting with us or finding out more, please contact [email protected]

Outreach with schools and young people

We champion and advocate for the value of a creative education for all young people. We offer partner schools in Greater London a variety of options to engage with us including skills-development workshops, visits to RCA student shows, Open Days for schools and FE colleges, visits and talks from our community of tutors, students and alumni. We primarily work with young people aged between 11–25 years. If you would like to know more about our outreach work, please contact [email protected]

Business, Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

Our academic experts collaborate closely with industry partners, helping them bring design, creativity and critical thinking to their day-to-day businesses and developing their innovation capabilities. Read more about how we work with businesses.