RHA School

RHA School

RHA School courses are for artists and students who wish to develop their technical and critical skills in painting and drawing on a professional pathway. Courses in Painting and Drawing are offered in three strands of learning – Foundation, Mentored, and Resolution.

These courses are accredited by Technical University Dublin and recognised at level 8 on the National Qualifications Framework. Students who complete each module will receive either 5 credits (15-week modules) or 10 credits (30-week modules). These credits can be accumulated towards three award pathways, each completed through multiple modules. These module pathways are outlined below:

Certificate in Painting  – 30 credits

Certificate in Drawing – 30 credits

Diploma in Painting and Drawing  – 60 credits

 

No Day Without A Line –
An exciting creative practice in the heart of Ireland’s oldest
artist-led community.

The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts was founded in 1823 by a group of artists whose passionate efforts to regenerate art in Ireland evolved exhibition spaces and studios where master artists could take in students under their tutelage.

Today, the RHA School continues to cultivate artistic talent and celebrate art-in-the-making. We have the lineage of an old-school atelier, crossed with the vibrancy of a contemporary art school.

Both RHA Academicians and Visiting Artists provide mentorship for our skills-based and accredited school courses: a heart line to the Academy’s original mission to provide training for those who wish to master drawing and painting skills.

Our school programme is particularly tailored for those with artistic competency and a strong desire to improve on drawing technique.

RHA School Courses

Registration Fee

Students who intend to complete the modules for either of the three exit awards within the current academic year (September 2026 to May 2027) must register with TU Dublin. This entitles students to a student number and access to the TUD library and student union facilities. This fee covers the cost of processing QQI procedures and issuing award certificates and diplomas. The fee must be made payable via bank transfer once the RHA School is notified of the student’s intention to exit at the end of the academic year.

The Registration/Graduation fees are:

Certificate in Drawing €300

Certificate in Painting €300

Diploma in Painting and Drawing €600

Tutors

For 200 years the RHA has been run by our elected Academicians, a group of eminent Irish artists and architects. Over time, a community has flourished at the RHA, forming a vital confluence of artistic ideas and personalities. It is a heritage we are proud of and what makes the RHA School programme so distinctive and dynamic.

RHA School courses are led by either an RHA Academician or an invited artist, each with a highly individualised, intensive and hands-on approach.

We keep our class sizes small, so tutors can provide tailored instruction and ensure everyone is challenged to become the best artist they can be. Our studios are places of inspiration, where students are offered a rigorous training in the practice and tradition of drawing and painting from life.

All board appointments to the RHA School are for three years and no Academician can serve more than two consecutive terms. 

Academicians
The RHA School is a dynamic learning environment to support students to build the skillset and material knowledge to make creative and exciting art for today's world.
- Colin Martin RHA: School Principal

RHA School Advisory Board

Tutors

Talks & Lectures

Masterclasses

As part of the RHA School programme, the Masterclasses Series focus on a specific aspect of drawing or painting. Visiting Artists are invited to speak as well as our own Academicians. The RHA also hosts international speakers for a three- or five-day Masterclass Series in Spring or early Summer. We invite you to sign up to our news for all announcements.

Alumni Work

The RHA School provides exceptional resources and alumni networking opportunities so that artists can connect, develop their portfolios and launch creative careers. We are very proud of all the work produced during our student programmes.

Our relationship with former students is lifelong and we consider all those who have participated in some way with the RHA School to be part of our alumni community. Latest alumni include Karen Ebbs, Shelia McCarron, Cecilia Bullo and Maeve Curtis.

 

Support RHA School

Every week, over 140 artists and students bring the RHA School and Studios to life on the third floor of the RHA. Accredited by TU Dublin, our 60-credit diploma programme is helping shape the next generation of artists.

We’re working to break down financial barriers by offering more scholarships and fee-free residencies—so that every talented artist has the opportunity to learn, create, and thrive.

With your support, we can continue to expand access to high-quality art education and studio space.

Read testimonials from students whose lives have been transformed by the RHA School—and consider making a donation that directly impacts emerging artists at a critical point in their journey.

Invest in creativity. 

DONATE HERE

School Access Programme

Thanks to an anonymous donor, each year the RHA awards two free All Access Pass to the RHA School workshops, school courses, talks & lectures and masterclasses sessions. One award is given to an artist currently enrolled at any of the third-level art colleges in Ireland. The other award is offered to an artist of merit at any stage of their career.

Your product has been successfully added to your Cart. View Cart HERE

Skip to content