The Artists of this City having resolved to raise a sum for Purposesa of Charity by the Annual Exhibition of their Works entreat the Society to allow them the use of their Room from the 7th of April to the 19th. This Favour they consider as very important. The Public concurrence of the Society will give to a new Practice that Countenance which Novelty must always need, and the Arts will gain Dignity from the Protection of those whom the World has already learned to respect.

It has been lamented, that notwithstanding the general disposition to encourage artists, now prevailing in this nation, many men whose ability’s and attainments might justly raise them to distinction, languish in obscurity; there being no certain or establish’d method, by which, regard may be modestly solicited, or the publick eye attracted to merit.

A proposal was therefore made to the Artists at their annual meeting on St. Lukes Day 1759. That every painter, sculptor, architect, engraver, enchaser, seal Cutter & medal-list should exhibit once a year, at a place appointed, a specimen of his art, that the judges & patrons of merit may have at once under their view the present state of the arts in England. Elegance & ingenuity are most valuable when they contribute to the purposes of virtue; it is therefore resolved, that the just advantage of this exhibition shall be destined to the support of those artists, whose age, infirmities or other lawful hindrances suffer them to be no longer candidates for praise. A shilling shall be taken at the door, from every one that enters, and the sum so collected, shall be placed in the hands of trustees chosen by the artists, and publickly declared in the daily papers.