As part of its support for the solo exhibition of internationally-acclaimed British sculptor Antony Gormley opening this September at the Royal Academy of Arts, BNP Paribas announced today that it will offer 3,000 people, aged 17 to 25, free entry to the exhibition.

Entitled AccessArt25, the BNP Paribas initiative aims to offer young people what may be their first visit to the Royal Academy of Arts.  The programme consists of three specially-curated evening events that will run from 6.30 to 10pm on 23 September, 21 October and 18 November 2019.

BNP Paribas AccessArt25

The AccessArt25 programme is the first of its kind in terms of a corporate supporter providing free access to exhibitions specifically for young people.  The initiative was launched in 2018 as part of BNP Paribas’ three-year support for the Turner Prize, where it proved to be highly successful.

Antony Gormley, Royal Academician, said: “I am delighted that BNP Paribas is partnering with the Royal Academy for my exhibition so that young people can visit for free as part of the AccessArt25 programme. I’m grateful that this initiative will particularly target those who may not have ready access to art exhibitions. We are all of us artists, and I hope seeing my work will inspire young peoples’ own reflections on themselves and the world around them.”

Anne Marie Verstraeten, UK Country Head, BNP Paribas, said: “As we approach our 20th year of support for the Royal Academy of Arts, we believe it is more important than ever that great contemporary art should be accessible for all. That is why we launched the BNP Paribas AccessArt25 programme.  We look forward to welcoming thousands of young people through the doors of this incredible institution, free of charge, to experience an exhibition by one of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists.”

Young people aged 17 – 25 can register their interest at roy.ac/gormley-tickets.