Mission
FOUNDED IN 1780, THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES HONORS EXCELLENCE AND CONVENES LEADERS FROM EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR TO EXAMINE NEW IDEAS, ADDRESS ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THE NATION AND THE WORLD, AND WORK TOGETHER "TO CULTIVATE EVERY ART AND SCIENCE WHICH MAY TEND TO ADVANCE THE INTEREST, HONOR, DIGNITY, AND HAPPINESS OF A FREE, INDEPENDENT, AND VIRTUOUS PEOPLE." THE ACADEMY CURRENTLY UNDERTAKES A BROAD ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES IN FIVE PROJECT CATEGORIES: SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY; GLOBAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS; EDUCATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE; THE HUMANITIES, ARTS, AND CULTURE; AND AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETY, AND THE PUBLIC GOOD.