American Academy of Arts and Letters
Preselected recipients only
American Academy of Arts and Letters is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.0 million in 84 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$1.0 million
- Number of grants84
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$117 million
- New grantees83%
Giving in 2024 was up from $809,107 the year before.
83% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $809,107 | 82 | $111 million |
| 2024 | $1.0 million | 84 | $117 million |
How to apply
American Academy of Arts and Letters says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What American Academy of Arts and Letters funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 21 states, the most to New York. It also paid $60,000 in 3 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 36 | $397,450 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $112,200 |
| California | 7 | $92,000 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $69,500 |
| Illinois | 3 | $66,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $30,000 |
| Ohio | 3 | $27,500 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $25,000 |
| Florida | 4 | $23,000 |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $20,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Darryl Pinckney | To honor a writer who has made a significant contribution to american literature. | $100,000 |
| Paper Mill Playhouse | To fund a workshop of a promising new musicial, gun & powder. | $60,000 |
| Sean Shepherd | To give a promising composer income which allows him to be free of employment and soley compose. | $50,000 |
| Diversionary Theatre | To fund a workshop of a promising new musicial, the monster | $50,000 |
| Charles Ives Society | To further the work and musical legacy of charles ives | $50,000 |
| Rhiannon Giddens | To honor an exceptional writer for vocal music | $40,000 |
| American Composers Alliance | To further the musical legacy of otto luening | $26,975 |
| Matt Connors | To honor a painter of extraordinary achievement. | $25,000 |
| Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress | To further the musical legacy of otto luening | $25,000 |
| Selgascano Jose Selgas and Lucia Cano | To honor an architect who has made significant contribution to architecture as an art. | $20,000 |
| Cal Flyn | To a talented writer from the united kingdom or ireland for a stay in the united states | $20,000 |
| Chetna Maroo | To a talented writer from the united kingdom or ireland for a stay in the united states | $20,000 |
| Gayl Jones | To honor a demonstated writer of prose. | $20,000 |
| Andrew Holleran | To recognize an author for the quality of their prose. | $20,000 |
| Aaron Helgeson | To encourage young talent to a composer | $20,000 |
| Alison Armstrong | To aid professional artists, writers and composers who find themselves in financial distress. | $16,000 |
| Fang Man | To honor a young composer of exceptional achievement. | $15,000 |
| Susie Ibarra | To honor a young composer of exceptional achievement. | $15,000 |
| Vijay Iyer | To honor a young composer of extraordinary gifts. | $15,000 |
| Ibuokle Rosaschi | To honor a young composer of extraordinary gifts. | $15,000 |
| Arthur Pfister | To aid professional artists, writers and composers who find themselves in financial distress. | $11,000 |
| Julie Bargmann | To honor exceptional achievement in architecture. | $10,000 |
| Beatriz Colomina | To honor exceptional achievement in architecture. | $10,000 |
| Levenbetts David Leven & Stella Betts | To honor exceptional achievement in architecture. | $10,000 |
| Krzysztof Wodiczko | To honor exceptional achievement in architecture. | $10,000 |
| An-My Le | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Dara Birnbaum | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Hock E Aye VI Edgar Heap of Birds | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Walid Raad | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Fred Wilson | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Jordan Casteel | To honor exceptional achievement in art. | $10,000 |
| Sharon Hayes | To recognize extraordinary achievement in the visual arts. | $10,000 |
| Pepon Osorio | To recognize extraordinary achievement in the visual arts. | $10,000 |
| Gala Porras-Kim | To honor a visual artist. | $10,000 |
| Adam Pendleton | To honor a young painter of distinction. | $10,000 |
| Luis Alfaro | To honor exceptional achievement in literature. | $10,000 |
| Lan Samantha Chang | To honor exceptional achievement in literature. | $10,000 |
| Ama Codjoe | To honor exceptional achievement in literature. | $10,000 |
| Boris Dralyuk | To honor exceptional achievement in literature. | $10,000 |
| Elisa Gonzalez | To honor exceptional achievement in literature. | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Cody Upton
- Kwame Anthony Appiah
- Mel Chin
- Joan Jonas
- Amy Sillman
- Hilton ALS
- Rita Dove
- Francine Prose
- Alvin Singleton
- George Lewis
- Edward Hirsch
- Ann Hamilton
- Toshiko Mori
- Billie Tsien
Questions people ask
Does American Academy of Arts and Letters accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does American Academy of Arts and Letters give?
$1.0 million in tax year 2024, across 84 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs American Academy of Arts and Letters?
Its 2024 filing lists Cody Upton (Executive Director), Kwame Anthony Appiah (President), Mel Chin (Vice President for Art) and Joan Jonas (Vice President for Art) among 14 officers and trustees.
What does American Academy of Arts and Letters fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, international and education.