From the President

In the summer of 2020, we faced a future clouded with uncertainty. As an organization whose raison d’être is to convene its membership in service of the common good, the Academy faced ongoing obstacles in bringing people together. At the same time, with so many disparate needs calling for the Academy’s particular set of strengths, we felt a tremendous responsibility to move swiftly and decisively forward with our work.

Looking back over the year, I am profoundly grateful to the Academy’s membership and staff for overcoming the challenges of the pandemic to accomplish more and greater things than we dared hope. Nearly twice as many people participated in our project and membership events than in any previous year, representing a greater diversity of gender, race, geography, and institution. Progress on all our projects moved forward apace, resulting in thought-provoking publications, policy briefings, institutional partnerships, and member and community engagements. We are now preparing to launch two significant new commissions: The Commission on Accelerating Climate Action and the Commission on American Political Economy and the Public Good.

I am humbled and grateful for the philanthropic support of our members and foundations that makes this work possible. This year, the Academy received over $21 million–a new record–that will support each of our program areas and staff leaders as well as capital improvements and technology advancements.

I am delighted to share this report of projects, publications, and meetings over the past year. Thank you for your involvement and for all you do for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

David W. Oxtoby