NEW YORK, February 26, 2020 —When the American Academy of Arts and Letters holds its annual induction and award ceremony in mid-May, Lorrie Moore, secretary, will induct thirteen members into the 250-person organization. David Remnick will deliver the Blashfield Foundation Address. An exhibition of art, architecture, books, and manuscripts by new members and recipients of awards will be on view in the galleries from May 21 to June 21.
Newly Elected Members
Art
LAURIE ANDERSON
CARROLL DUNHAM
TOSHIKO MORI
JULIAN SCHNABEL
AMY SILLMAN
CARRIE MAE WEEMS
Literature
EDWIDGE DANTICAT
MARY GAITSKILL
BARRY LOPEZ
MONA SIMPSON
COLSON WHITEHEAD
Music
TERRY RILEY
CHINARY UNG
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS
The American Academy of Arts and Letters was founded in 1898 as an honor society of the country’s leading architects, artists, composers, and writers. Early members include William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam, Julia Ward Howe, Henry James, Edward MacDowell, Theodore Roosevelt, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, John Singer Sargent, Mark Twain, and Edith Wharton. The Academy’s 250 members are elected for life and pay no dues.
In addition to electing new members as vacancies occur, the Academy seeks to foster and sustain an interest in Literature, Music, and the Fine Arts by administering over 70 awards and prizes, exhibiting art and manuscripts, funding performances of new works of musical theater, and purchasing artwork for donation to museums across the country.
Photo credits:
Edwidge Danticat ̶ photograph by Lynn Savarese
Barry Lopez ̶ photograph by John Clark
Colson Whitehead ̶ photograph by Chris Close
Carrie Mae Weems ̶ photograph by John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation