Arts and Letters

The 300 members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters are divided into Departments of Architecture, Art, Literature, and Music, and are elected in recognition of notable achievement in their fields. In addition, Arts and Letters includes 75 Foreign Honorary members—architects, artists, composers, and writers from outside the United States—and 20 American Honorary members whose work falls outside the membership’s traditional departments. Members are elected for life, pay no dues, and nominate and elect new members as vacancies occur. Members oversee every aspect of the institution’s governance by serving on its Board of Directors, award selection committees, and investment committee.