Many are surprised to learn that the Royal School of Needlework is a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 312774) and that we receive no statutory funding.
Founded in 1872, the Royal School of Needlework has a unique role: to train students to the highest technical standard of hand embroidery. No other organisation teaches these techniques of hand embroidery to this level.
Our Graduate Apprentices go on to work in a wide variety of roles from stitching and teaching in our Studio and classes to working on vestments in St Paul's Cathedral or costumes for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden or the BBC.
Keeping hand embroidery skills alive is vital. Without these skills we would not be able to conserve textiles, which are amongst the most fragile objects of our heritage.
RSN-taught embroiderers are also able to create the heirlooms of tomorrow - from altar frontals for Britain's cathedrals to dynamic private commissions for interior design.
The RSN owns an extensive Collection of 60,000 objects comprising both textiles and archival papers. The textiles include pieces created by the RSN workroom and examples of different techniques through history, while the archive helps to tell the story of the RSN.
These projects are incredibly valuable to our Apprentices and students for teaching purposes. However, it costs a great deal to conserve and keep these objects.
Altogether it costs around £3,000 a day to run the RSN, yet we receive no government funding and have to rely on our own resources, especially donations.
The Friends and Special Supporters of the RSN make a vital contribution, supporting Apprentices and our Collection. Without this funding we would not be able to continue our work.
By becoming a Friend or Special Supporter you can help us to continue our work.
