Under the ongoing patronage of HRH The Princess Royal, the RSA Fellow Festival stands as a key annual gathering of innovators, leaders, researchers, educators and creative thinkers from across disciplines. It celebrates imagination, facilitates the exchange of ideas and fosters cross-sector collaboration to address pressing social challenges.
The 2025 edition featured a cultural highlight in the form of a performance by a BBC string sextet, led by violinist Stephen Bryant and showcasing original compositions. The concert took place at RSA House, a historic venue located on London’s John Adam Street, just moments from Trafalgar Square and the Thames.
History of the Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) was founded on 22 March 1754 at Rawthmell’s Coffee House in Covent Garden by a group of eleven men who established the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. From its inception, the RSA was a pioneering organisation — remarkably inclusive for its time — with women among its early members and a structure based on direct democratic principles. Its mission was to foster innovation and advance social progress through awards, premiums and initiatives that supported invention, design and the public good.
In the 19th century, under the influential leadership of Henry Cole, the RSA expanded its focus to include large-scale public exhibitions — most notably the Great Exhibition of 1851 — as well as advocacy for systemic reform in education, public health and intellectual property. It was during this period that the Society was granted its Royal Charter. The RSA has since continued to play a central role in promoting the arts, sciences and civic improvement in Britain and beyond. It is also credited with founding the blue plaque scheme, which honors notable individuals and historic sites across the UK.
RSA Fellow Festival 2025 – program overview
The 2025 RSA Fellow Festival, themed “The Power of Connection,” featured a dynamic program across RSA House, including panel discussions, performances, exhibitions and workshops. Highlights in the Great Room included panels on arts, social infrastructure, media and education, with keynote addresses by Baroness Hilary Armstrong. Parallel sessions in the Durham Street Auditorium explored start-ups, urban design, social capitalism and nature connection. Other areas hosted art displays, creative workshops, storytelling and an Independent Magazine Fair.
Additional activities were held throughout RSA House, including the “Playful Green Planet” presentation on the Steps, an all-day art display in the Vaults and a creative print workshop in the Tavern Room. The Tavern also featured an Education and Drama lightning talk, storytelling by Norman Bailey FRSA and closed the day with a comedy session. The Benjamin Franklin Room offered tea, coffee and an Independent Magazine Fair alongside RSA Journal displays. Reflective sessions on human connection took place in the Dr. Cross Room, with opportunities to meet Fellowship Network Leads. Free refreshments were available in the Coffee House and the Muse space remained open throughout the afternoon and evening.
During the event, attendees enjoyed cultural exchange, thoughtful dialogue and moments of quiet reflection. The festival also featured a celebrated performance by a BBC Orchestra string sextet at 1 p.m., highlighting the RSA’s commitment to creativity and innovation.
Strings in Performance
The string sextet featured Stephen Bryant (violin I), alongside violin II, violin III, viola, cello I and cello II. Under Bryant’s leadership — he is also the leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra — the group performed a carefully curated program blending contemporary compositions with cinematic and minimalist influences, composed by this author.
The concert was captured through the lens of photographer Adam Hammudeh. Event coordination and support were provided by Emma Land, Head of Fellowship Engagement, Rachael Head, Senior Events Producer, and the wider team, both before and during the event.
Reflections and resonance
The 2025 RSA Fellow Festival united a wide range of professionals and creatives for a day of exchange, insight and cultural celebration. Through a compelling program of discussions, exhibitions and performances — including the acclaimed BBC string sextet concert — the festival underscored the RSA’s enduring commitment to fostering practical ideas and collaborative partnerships that advance society.
Amid the vibrant energy, moments of silence provided a powerful counterbalance, creating space for reflection, presence and clarity. The true essence of the day lay not only in its varied content but also in its gentle rhythm — a gathering that honored both the Society’s legacy and its future, leaving attendees quietly inspired. Silence holds profound importance: it creates a sacred space for thought, feeling and awareness, allowing us to process experiences, soothe our minds and regain focus. In silence, we hear the quiet inner voice, discover insights often lost amid noise and connect more deeply with the present moment. Alone or together, silence nurtures clarity, emotional balance and the meaningful reflection that grounds us.
Photos by Adam Hammudeh
Edited by James Sutton
