Hear from class speakers for the 2023 Induction Ceremony for new members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

2020–2021 Academy Governance & Committees

Governance & Committees, 2021–2022

Local Program Committees and Representatives bring together communities of members to connect, explore topics of interest, and
advise informally on Academy projects.

Local Program Committees and Representatives bring members together to connect with the Academy and each other in the communities where they live.

Local Program Committees and Representatives bring together communities of members to connect, explore topics of interest, and advise informally on Academy projects.

While the Academy focused most of its early efforts on the natural and physical sciences, in recent years the organization has taken a more active role in studying and promoting humanities, arts, and culture in American society. Through its commissions, publications, and projects, the Academy conducts research and develops policy recommendations to advance the arts and humanities in American life, and seeks opportunities to enrich the nation’s cultural life. The unique convening power of the Academy brings together scholars, artists, and leaders from the public and private sectors to demonstrate their vital role in the life of the nation, and to articulate how the country might better support activities in this area.

Financial Statements

Local Program Committees and Representatives bring members together to connect with the Academy and each other in the communities where they live.

Local Program Committees and Representatives bring members together to connect with the Academy and each other in the communities where they live.

The new national dashboard released by the Academy's Commission on Reimagining Our Economy, the CORE Score, is mined for data about Massachusetts in this piece by WGBH. The coverage also connects the wellbeing assessed in the CORE Score to recommendations in the Commission's final report.

Building on America’s 250-year-old commitment to knowledge, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences announces the leaders in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science elected in 2026.

Noteworthy

As climate-driven extreme weather events continue to impact communities around the globe, researchers and policymakers are growing more interested in understanding connections between climate change and conflict. An interdisciplinary Academy discussion on global conflict and climate resulted in points of agreement, areas of caution, and suggested topics for future exploration. 

An engraving above the western entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court proclaims a bold ideal for the American judicial system: “equal justice under law.” Unfortunately, the nation has not yet achieved the Court’s aspiration. While many Americans experience legal issues at some point in their lives, not everyone has access to the legal assistance that they need.

Capitalist democracy needs rethinking and renewal. Our current political economic framework is fixated on GDP, individual achievement, and short-term profit, all the while heightening barriers to widespread prosperity. Faced with mounting climate crises and systemic discrimination, how can we reconfigure our systems to secure economic well-being for all? What steps must we take to ensure our new approaches are (and will remain) sustainable?

Arts education, properly supported and available to all, can play a vital role in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Arts Commission cochairs John Lithgow, Deborah Rutter, and Natasha Trethewey make the case for arts education commitment in the Chicago Tribune.

A new report from the Commission on the Arts - Art for Life’s Sake: The Case for Arts Education - sets forth recommendations to reverse the persistent decline in access to arts education in America. The report offers local, state, and national elected leaders recommendations in six areas, including elevating the arts, ensuring equitable access, and supporting educators.

Select Prizes and Awards to Members