The Arts Club

The Arts Club was founded in 1863, to provide a haven for those with a professional or amateur relationship with the Arts, Literature or Sciences, and it has continued to welcome a community of discerning thinkers and thought leaders ever since. From distinguished art exhibitions to fine dining, live music and an exceptional programme of events, the club remains at the heart of contemporary cultural life in London. Currently occupying an elegant Mayfair townhouse, the club has included among its members many outstanding figures in the history of art, literature and science. Writers such as Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Thomas Hughes; musicians such as Paolo Tosti, Charles Halle and Franz Liszt; artists such as Frederic Leighton, John Everett Millais, Auguste Rodin and James McNeill Whistler, have all played an integral part in the club’s history. It continues to be a home away from home for many such creatives, entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers, with the principal areas of interest among members being art, architecture, fashion, film, literature, music, science, and media. It provides a serene space for individuals to come together to meet, exchange ideas, dine and participate in an extensive cultural programme, comprising panel discussions, exhibitions, studio and gallery tours and music performances. The club’s art collection remains at its core, with temporary exhibitions alongside an extensive permanent collection. Curated by Wedel Art, the exhibitions shown in the Drawing and Ante rooms highlight international trends and contemporary works, and in recent years have included artworks by Frank Bowling, Shara Hughes, Yoni Shonibare, Etel Adnan, Laurie Simmons, Sanlé Sory and Sir Peter Blake. The permanent collection is also curated by Wedel Art and can be seen throughout the club and hotel, featuring artworks by Tomas Saraceno, John Baldessari and John Stezaker, among others.