At age 45, Lin-Manuel Miranda has been honored with induction into the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters. The acclaimed playwright, known for his groundbreaking work on 'Hamilton,' joins a distinguished group of 21 new members of the 127-year-old honor society.
The induction ceremony will take place in May at the academy's beaux arts complex in Upper Manhattan, near the setting of Miranda's earlier musical, 'In the Heights.' Notable current members of the academy include Robert Caro, Jasper Johns, and Meredith Monk, with past members such as Willem De Kooning and Toni Morrison.
In a statement, Miranda expressed his gratitude and humility at joining this esteemed community, which includes legendary figures like Stephen Sondheim and Richard Rodgers. He looks forward to supporting and celebrating great artists and their work as a new member.
The American Academy of Arts and Letters, divided into categories for literature, music, art, and architecture, has a core membership of 300. New members are elected to fill vacancies left by deceased members, along with honorary members like Meryl Streep and Martin Scorsese.
This year's honorary inductees include Mexican conceptual artist Francis Alÿs, Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, and activist Angela Davis, recognized for her revolutionary voice and advocacy for equality.
Among the diverse class of 2025 are award-winning authors Jesmyn Ward, Gish Jen, and Elizabeth Alexander, architect Ricardo Scofidio, and visual artists such as Robert Grosvenor and Donna Dennis. The music category welcomes Miranda and classical composers Derek Bermel and Gabriela Lena Frank.
Academy president Kwame Anthony Appiah expressed pride in the incoming class, highlighting the excellence and range of practices embodied by their work.
