The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce held the first modern public exhibition on 21 April 1760 in London. It would be the first in a series of fine art exhibitions held by the institution later known as the Society of Arts. Prizes were offered for improvements in the manufacture of tapestry, carpets and porcelain, and winners were chosen from a competition of submitted articles. The show was open to society members and their friends.