Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Headquarters building | |
| Abbreviation | AMPAS |
|---|---|
| Formation | May 11, 1927 |
| Type | Trade association |
| 95-0473280 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(6) |
| Purpose | To recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspire imagination, and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures. |
| Headquarters | 8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 34°04′02″N 118°23′15″W / 34.06722°N 118.38750°W |
| Membership | 11,000 (2025) |
| Lynette Howell Taylor (since 2025) | |
| Bill Kramer | |
| Subsidiaries | Academy Museum Foundation 501(c)(3), Academy Foundation 501(c)(3), Archival Foundation 501(c)(3), Vine Street Archive Foundation 501(c)(3) |
| Employees | 700 (2025) |
| Website | www |
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced /ˈæmpæs/ AM-pass; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures. The Academy's corporate management and general policies are overseen by a board of governors, which includes representatives from each of the craft branches.
As of 2025, the organization was estimated to consist of more than 11,000 motion picture professionals. The Academy is an international organization and membership is open to qualified filmmakers around the world.
The Academy is known around the world for its annual Academy Awards, both officially and popularly known as "The Oscars".
In addition, the Academy holds the Governors Awards annually for lifetime achievement in film; presents Scientific and Technical Awards annually; gives Student Academy Awards annually to filmmakers at the undergraduate and graduate level; and honors film artists at the Academy Museum Gala.
The academy also operates the Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, the Academy Film Archive, the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and the Academy opened the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in 2021.
The Academy maintains the largest film-related collection in the world, including 52 million items, which are conserved and exhibited through the Academy Foundation.