The Royal Academy of Arts has today won the annual award for British Cultural Excellence at the Walpole Awards 2012. Walpole is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the British luxury industry.
The other winners of this year’s awards, sponsored by Coutts, were Mulberry, Burberry, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Theo Fennell, Brown’s Hotel, Orlebar Brown and IWC Schaffhausen.
The award for British Cultural Excellence, sponsored by The Admirable Crichton, was given to the best British cultural achievement from a range of disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, art and film, both traditional and contemporary, in front of and behind the scenes in 2012. The nominees included Glyndebourne, Goodwood, National Portrait Gallery, The Cultural Olympiad and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The panel of judges comprised Dr Frederick Mostert, Walpole/Richemont; Jan Dalley, Financial Times; Luke Rittner, Royal Academy of Dance; Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, RAD; Susan Boster, Boster Group; and Amanda Berry, BAFTA.
The Royal Academy of Arts was founded by George III in 1768. It has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists. Its public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate. – www.royalacademy.org.uk