National Academy of Design

National Academy of Design, New York.
A professional association of artists founded in New York in 1825 in opposition to the conservative American Academy of the Fine Arts (which ran from 1802 to 1841; see Trumbull). The National Academy was originally called the Society for the Improvement of Drawing; it adopted its present name in 1828. For most of the 19th century it was the leading art institution in America, its annual exhibitions helping to make New York the country's major art centre. Morse was first president, and most ambitious artists of the time sought membership. However, its views became unprogressive, prompting certain artists to break away (notably to found The Eight in 1908). Today it exists mainly as a historical institution.