Friends of the Academy

Color photograph of a garden party at the American Academy in Rome, with people talking in small groups near a snack and drink table
The annual Friends of the Academy garden party

Overview

Friends of the AAR support the dynamic activities of the American Academy in Rome and take part in exclusive cultural and social events with the Academy community of artists and scholars. Yearly membership dues provide important support for the Fellows, Residents, and programs, ensuring that the Academy continues to thrive as a center for ideas, creativity, and innovation. Participation is at three levels: Contributor, Donor, and Sponsor, and events take place in the United States, Italy, and virtually.

Download a list of all supporters who made a gift to the American Academy in Rome between February 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024.

Levels of Support

Contributor

$250

Dual membership. Invitations to:

  • Fall Reception to welcome new Rome Prize Fellows and Italian Fellows
  • Summer Garden Party
  • Rome Sustainable Food Project buffet lunch with the AAR community, Monday–Friday*
  • Private tour of AAR exhibitions

Donor

$1,000

All Contributor benefits plus invitations to:

  • Special access to the Academy Bar and buffet lunches*
  • Reserved seating upon request for select events in Rome and the US
  • Insider access to Academy scholars and artists via virtual programming
  • Private guided tour of the McKim, Mead & White Building and Villa Aurelia with complimentary coffee in the Academy Bar
  • Listing in Gala programs

Sponsor

$2,500

All Donor benefits plus invitations to:

  • Exclusive dinners and receptions in Rome with artists, composers, writers, scholars, and architects
  • Visits to unique sites, private collections, and artists’ studios in Rome and an annual invitation to a private event in New York
  • Unique Roman walking tours (Walks and Talks) with Academy scholars and artists

* Buffet lunches and items at the Academy Bar are subject to an additional fee. Buffet lunches are available Monday–Friday. The Academy Bar is open Monday–Friday.
 

All benefits and access to the Academy Bar, meals, and Library are subject to change due to evolving COVID-19 safety protocols.
 

Friends Events

Color photograph of two women talking in front of a snack and drink table in the American Academy in Rome garden
The annual Friends of the Academy garden party

Friends have enjoyed events such as a conversation over breakfast at Caffè delle Arti followed by a private visit to the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna with 2016 Fellow Katharine Larson; a day trip visiting the Gardens of Ninfa and La Landriana with Academy Fellows, Andrew Heiskell Arts Director Peter Benson Miller, and Bass Superintendent of Gardens Alessandra Vincigeurra; and a hands-on pasta-making workshop with the chefs and interns of the Rome Sustainable Food Project followed by a special pasta lunch with the AAR community of artists and scholars.

Other Memberships