The Arts Club

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The Arts Club was founded by Charles Dickens among others in 1863 in London, England, as a meeting place primarily for artists and writers.

It was a hub of the arts during the 19th century and, although a social venue, it was known to be a place where influence could be exerted and careers developed. It was seen as the power house behind the dealings of the Royal Academy. Its members and guests included Dickens, Millais, Whistler, Kipling, Monet, Rodin, Degas and Turgenev. However, as the arts developed into Modernism it failed to keep pace, and its continuing allegiance to the Academy gave it a distinctly old-fashioned air.

As early as 1891, one of its leading members James McNeill Whistler broke away to found the rival Chelsea Arts Club. More recently venues such as the Colony Room and Groucho Club have provided a role which the Arts Club used to.

Its original premises were at 17 Hanover Square, Mayfair. After thirty years there, it moved nearby to its current accommodation, an 18th century town house at 40 Dover Street. It was badly bombed in the Blitz and extensively rebuilt. Various scandals undermined the Club during the last century, including the disappearance of the club silver during refurbishments (the crates when opened were full of bricks) as well as fifty art works from its collection.

It offers very salubrious facilities, with a discrete drawing room, bar, dining room, bistro and outside garden. There are regular activities and talks from well-known personalities. Membership is usually available on application to the Club Secretary. There is a dress code of "smart casual". Suits and ties are widespread but not obligatory. Membership requirements are a participation or interest in art, literature or science.

Current membership includes a number of prominent Royal Academicians, architects and writers (the Authors Club is now housed at The Arts Club). The Stuckists artists have held meetings and an exhibition at the Club. Sir Peter Blake is a member, as are artists such as Graham Ovenden from the Brotherhood of Ruralists.