Announcements
Randy Cohen to interview Academy member, composer, and performer Meredith Monk
Jim Pratzon Awarded Presidential Citation
The Academy has awarded its 2019 Presidential Citation to Jim Pratzon, a drama and English teacher at Lyons Community School in Brooklyn.
Academy Receives Medal from Archives of American Art
On October 22, 2019, the Academy received the Archives Medal from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art.
David Del Tredici Delivers 2019 Blashfield Address
The 2019 Blashfield Address, entitled “The Gift of Gayness: A Tell-All,” was delivered by David Del Tredici on May 22nd, 2019, at the Academy’s annual Ceremonial.
Randy Cohen to interview Academy member and cartoonist Art Spiegelman
On Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 7 p.m. Randy Cohen will interview Art Spiegelman in the Academy Library. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required.
2019 Ceremonial Exhibition: Work by New Members and Recipients of Awards
Paintings, works on paper, photographs, video, sketchbooks, architectural models, renderings, and original manuscripts will be on view from May 23 through June 16 at the Academy galleries.
Lee Bontecou, Thelma Golden, and Toni Morrison receive highest honors
Lee Bontecou and Toni Morrison will receive Gold Medals in Sculpture and Fiction, respectively. Thelma Golden will receive the 2019 Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts.
2019 Art Awardee Panel Discussion
Listen to the panel discussion featuring David Cohen of artcritical and art award winners Judith Bernstein, Charlotte de Larminat, Inka Essenhigh, Alain Kirili, and Doron Langberg.
2019 Architecture Award Winners
The American Academy of Arts and Letters announces the recipients of the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize and four Arts and Letters Awards.
2019 Art Award Winners
Twenty-six artists receive awards and purchase prizes totaling over $250,000.
2019 Literature Award Winners
Seventeen writers will receive the Academy’s 2019 awards in literature.
2019 Newly Elected Members
In mid-May, Lorrie Moore, secretary, will induct eleven members into the 250-person organization and Billie Tsien, president, will induct five foreign honorary members.
2019 Music Award Winners
Sixteen recipients receive this year’s awards in music, which total $195,000.
Two Musicals Win 2019 Richard Rodgers Awards
Bhangin’ it and The Lucky Ones have won the 2019 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater.
2019 Invitational Exhibition of Visual Arts
Paintings, sculptures, video, photographs, and works on paper by 32 contemporary artists will be exhibited from Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, April 7, 2019.
Academy Statement on Sexual Misconduct
A statement from the Board responding to sexual misconduct allegations against members.
Billie Tsien Elected President
Architect Billie Tsien was elected president of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Ms. Tsien, who was inducted into the Academy in 2007, will serve a three-year term from January 2018 to January 2021.
Cody Upton Appointed Executive Director
Cody Upton has been appointed Executive Director of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, beginning July 1, 2017. He will succeed Virginia Dajani, who is retiring after 27 years. Upton will be the fifth Executive Director in the Academy’s 119-year history.