The Arts Club

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

History

The Arts Club 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, formerly the London home of the family of the Baron Stanley of Alderley. 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, lively and busy bar, dining room serving superb food, bistro and private garden. There are regular activities and talks from well-known personalities. 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. As with other gentlemen's clubs, members must be proposed and seconded by existing members.

Current membership includes a number of 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. Well known 'non-artist' members include Lord Attenborough, David Frost, and Henry Blofeld. The Arts Club's membership is noted for being significantly younger than that of many other clubs. The club has undergone a resurgence in recent years, doubling its membership between 2006 and 2007. It is now an exclusive and fashionable Mayfair venue, with a waiting list for membership.

ee also

* Gentlemen's club (english)
* List of London's gentlemen's clubs

References

* Anthony Lejeune, "Gentlemen's Clubs of London", (London: Macdonald And Jane's, 1979) (ill. Malcolm Lewis) ISBN 0-8317-3800-6

External links

* [http://www.theartsclub.co.uk/ The Arts Club website]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1998/12/29/nstol29.html £1M paintings missing]