Founded in Hollywood in 1927 from an idea promoted by Louis B. Mayer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences developed from an effort to mediate labor disputes and improve the film industry’s public image into a leading honorary and cultural institution. Now based in Beverly Hills with a membership of more than 11,000 film professionals, it is best known for the Oscars and other awards, while also supporting film research, education, preservation, and standards. Its campuses, library, archive, and museum help make it a major custodian of motion picture history, even as its influence has brought public scrutiny over representation and change.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain