..HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY..
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization comprised of
over 6,000 motion picture artists and craftsmen. Though most famous for its yearly awards,
the Academy's general goal is the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Within that, the Academy
fosters cultural, educational and technological cooperation among its members; it provides a forum for various branches of the
industry; it represents the viewpoint of its members; and it encourages educational activities between the professional
community and the public.
What it does not do is promote economic, labor, or political matters. Organized in May 1927 as a nonprofit corporation, its
original 36 members included both production executives and film luminaries. Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was the first president. Others
have included Frank Capra, Bette Davis, Jean Hersholt, George Stevens, Robert E. Wise, Karl Malden, Arthur Hiller and Robert
Rehme. Current president Frank Pierson took office in August 2001.
Academy membership
From its founding until 1946, when it moved into a building in Hollywood, the Academy occupied a number of rented offices. In December
of 1975, the Academy dedicated its seven-story headquarters at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and for the
first time in its history, the Players Directory, the Margaret Herrick Library, the Samuel Goldwyn Theater and the administrative offices were all under one roof.
The rapid growth of the holdings of both the Margaret Herrick Library
and the Film Archive eventually made a separate facility necessary. In 1988, a 55-year lease was arranged with the City of
Beverly Hills for the conversion of its historic Waterworks building in La Cienega Park into the new home of the Academy's film research
facilities, now known as the Center for Motion Picture Study. The film archieve has since moved out and the Academy purchased
and renovated a third building in Hollywood.
Membership in the Academy is by invitation of the Board of Governors and is limited to those who have achieved distinction in
the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Some of the criteria for admittance are: film credits that reflect the high
standards of the Academy, receipt of an Academy Award nomination, achievement of unique distinction, earning of special
merit, or making an outstanding contribution to film.
Members represent 14 branches — Actors, Art Directors, Cinematographers, Directors, Documentary, Executives, Film Editors,
Music, Producers, Public Relations, Short Films and Feature Animation, Sound, Visual Effects, and Writers.
Candidates for membership in the Academy must first receive the endorsement of the appropriate branch executive committee before their
name is submitted to the Board of Governors for approval. The Board of Governors also may invite to membership members-at-large
and associate members.
Members-at-large are those engaged in theatrical film production, but for whose craft there is no separate branch. They have all the
privileges of branch membership except for representation on the Board. Associate members are those closely allied to the
industry but not actively engaged in motion picture production. They are not represented on the Board and do not vote on Academy Awards.
Life members are designated by unanimous vote of the Board of Governors and have full privileges of
membership,but pay no dues.
The Board of Governors
Corporate management, control and general policies are administered by the Board of Governors. This group consists of three representatives
from each of the 14 Academy craft branches. Governors are elected for three-year terms, with one representative from
each branch being elected annually. This method assures a certain continuity from year to year.
Officers are elected from the Board for one-year terms. They include a president, first vice president, two vice presidents, treasurer and
secretary. No member of the Board of Governors may serve more than three consecutive three-year terms and no officer may serve more than
four consecutive one-year terms in the same office.
Administrative activities of the Academy are conducted under the supervision of an executive director who is appointed by the Board of
Governors. Bruce Davis, Executive Director since 1989, and his staff of 159 conduct the day-to-day business of the Academy.
The operating revenues of the Academy are obtained from membership dues, rental of its theaters to film companies for previews and other
screenings, publication of the Players Directory, the sale of rights to televise the annual Academy Awards Presentation,
and from other special programs.
