Rebecca Salter becomes first female president of Royal Academy in 251-year history

British artist Rebecca Salter has been elected as the next president of the Royal Academy, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold this position since the institution's founding 251 years ago. She succeeds Christopher Le Brun, who concluded his eight-year tenure as president in September. Salter expressed enthusiasm about her new role, noting the timing follows the RA's recent 250th anniversary expansion. She emphasized her commitment to maintaining art, architecture, and debate as central to the Academy's mission while collaborating with fellow Academicians, staff, and supporters. Salter's involvement with the RA dates back to 2014 when she was appointed a royal academician, and she has served as keeper since 2017, a role she will retain until her successor is elected in 2020. The announcement was made on December 12, 2019.