Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Name	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Founded	11 May 1927
Founder	Louis B. Mayer
Headquarters	Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Key people	Janet Yang (President), Bill Kramer (CEO)
Focus	Film

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1927 by studio mogul Louis B. Mayer, it is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures. It is globally renowned for its annual Academy Awards, colloquially known as the Oscars, which recognize artistic and technical merit in the industry. With a membership of over 10,000 film professionals, it also oversees extensive educational, preservation, and public programming initiatives.

History

The organization was conceived during a dinner at the Ambassador Hotel with Louis B. Mayer, actor Conrad Nagel, director Fred Niblo, and the head of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Fred Beetson. Its first board of governors included figures like Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Frank Lloyd. A major early achievement was negotiating the first industry-wide labor contract in 1927. The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, honoring films like *Wings* and *Sunrise*. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its role, establishing the Academy Film Archive in 1991 and breaking ground on the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in the 2010s.

Governance and membership

The organization is led by a board of governors, with representatives from each of its 17 branches, such as Actors, Directors, and Writers. The board elects a president, with recent leaders including Cheryl Boone Isaacs, John Bailey, and David Rubin. Membership is by invitation only, based on significant contributions to theatrical motion pictures, and requires sponsorship from two current members of the relevant branch. Notable members have included Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, and Kathryn Bigelow. The executive team, including CEO Dawn Hudson and her successor Bill Kramer, manages daily operations from its headquarters in Beverly Hills, California.

The Academy Awards

The Academy Awards ceremony is its most public-facing activity, televised globally and presented annually at venues like the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Awards are given in categories ranging from Best Picture to Best International Feature Film. The voting process involves the entire membership, with nominees selected by peers within each branch. The iconic Oscar statuette was designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley. Major broadcasters have included ABC and, historically, NBC. The event has produced countless historic moments, such as Hattie McDaniel's first win for an African American actor and Kathryn Bigelow winning Best Director for The Hurt Locker.

Other programs and initiatives

Beyond the Oscars, it runs numerous programs to support film education and preservation. The Academy Foundation oversees the Margaret Herrick Library, a major research center, and the Academy Film Archive, which preserves endangered films like the original nitrate print of *The Wizard of Oz*. It also administers student awards like the Student Academy Awards and grants through the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Public programming includes the "Academy Screening Room" series and educational partnerships with institutions like the University of Southern California. The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is a prominent competition for new writers.

Museum and facilities

Its primary public venue is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which opened in 2021 in the historic May Company Building on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Zoltan Pali, the museum features permanent exhibitions on topics like the history of Hollywood and temporary showcases on artists like Hayao Miyazaki. Other key facilities include the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills, which houses the Margaret Herrick Library, and the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, home to the Academy Film Archive.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced significant criticism over issues of diversity and representation, particularly with movements like #OscarsSoWhite. This led to initiatives like A2020, which aimed to double membership from underrepresented groups. Other controversies include the handling of the Best Popular Film category proposal in 2018 and the tumultuous 94th Academy Awards ceremony, which featured the incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. It has also been scrutinized for its preferential voting system and the influence of campaigns by studios like MGM and The Weinstein Company. Historical criticisms include its treatment of figures like Charlie Chaplin during the Red Scare and the ongoing debate over the categorization of films like *Parasite*.

Category:Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Category:Film organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations based in Los Angeles