The reason isn’t known, but Brit art star Damien Hirst has turned down an offer to become a Royal Academician at the Royal Academy of Arts, joining such other refuseniks as Lucian Freud, Howard Hodgkin, and Paula Rego.

Founded in 1768 by King George III, the independent, privately funded institution is devoted to promoting the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education, and debate. Membership is made up of up to 80 practicing artists, each elected by ballot and known individually as Royal Academicians, who can display up to six works in the annual Summer Exhibition, among other exhibiting opportunities.While Hirst and others haven’t been interested, not all contemporary British artists have rejected the invitation. Tracey Emin accepted in 2007, writing in a newspaper column that "it doesn't mean that I have become more conformist; it means that the Royal Academy has become more open, which is healthy and brilliant."

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