American Academy of Arts and Letters is an organization that promotes literature and the fine arts in the United States. It gives awards and prizes to notable artists, writers, and composers. The Academy maintains an archive and library. It also organizes exhibitions of art and manuscripts, sponsors stage readings and performances of new works, and buys works by American artists to donate to U.S. museums.
A maximum of 250 U.S. citizens may be members of the Academy. They serve for life and belong to one of three departments—art, literature, or music. Membership openings result from the death of a member. After a vacancy occurs, members nominate replacements. The membership votes on these nominees for election to the Academy. The Academy also grants honorary membership to 75 artists, composers, and writers from other countries. In addition, 10 Americans are granted honorary membership from cultural fields other than art, literature, and music.
The organization was founded in 1898. It grew out of the American Social Science Association and became known as the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Members of the Institute created the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1904. The Institute and the Academy merged in 1976 into the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1993, the organization assumed its present name. Its headquarters are in New York City.
