AOAP Projects (formerly Art on a Postcard) and the Royal Society of Arts announce the launch of a new annual summer exhibition, Illuminated. The exhibition introduces a distinct format, conceived to become a fixture in London’s summer cultural calendar.
Venue: The RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ
Public Dates: 10–24 June 2026
Private View: Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 6-8 pmto purchase works, this link goes live 7pm on 9.6.26
Set within the Royal Society of Arts’ historic headquarters, the exhibition draws on the institution’s Enlightenment origins—founded in 1754 as a meeting point for artists, thinkers and reformers—and its enduring emphasis on the role of creativity in shaping the common good. Today, its global Fellowship continues this legacy -sharing knowledge, evolving ideas, and offering their energy in service of something bigger than themselves.
Over its history, the Royal Society of Arts has counted among its members figures such as Karl Marx, David Attenborough, and Mary Moser. Its legacy includes pioneering exhibitions, progressive social campaigns, and influential policy work.
Building on this history, Illuminated invites contemporary artists to respond to themes of enlightenment, social value, and collective progress—the foundational principles upon which the Royal Society of Arts was established. The exhibition also pays homage to the Enlightenment-era coffee house culture from which the institution emerged, evoking light, exchange, and intellectual vitality.