American Academy of Arts and Letters

This program of recognition began in 1909, when the Board of Directors inaugurated its highest honor, the Gold Medal. In an effort to reach a wider number of artists, this program expanded in 1941 and 1942 with the establishment of the annual Arts and Letters Awards and Award of Merit Medal. Additional awards have since been endowed through gifts and bequests or established by the Board of Directors. We now give over 70 awards and prizes in the fields of Architecture, Art, Literature, and Music.