Professor Jo Kondo (Humanities and Sciences/Music) was recently named an honorary lifetime member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
The American Academy of Arts and Letters, roughly equivalent in stature to the distinguished Japan Art Academy, is the most prestigious organization honoring artists in the United States. Spanning virtually every artistic discipline (from architecture and fine arts to literature and music), the organization recognizes American artists and also includes up to 75 foreign artists as honorary lifetime members. The 250 American members select new honorary members only when vacancies arise among the ranks of the 75 foreign honorary members. As of last year, the Academy included only four Japanese artists author Kenzaburo Oe and architects Tadao Ando, Arata Isozaki, and Fumihiko Maki making Professor Kondo the fifth current Japanese member. Professor Kondo is also the second Japanese composer to enter the Academy's ranks, following in the footsteps of Toru Takemitsu. Newly selected members will be officially introduced and inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters at an event in New York on May 16.

• Visit the American Academy of Arts and Letters website for more information.
  • The American Academy of Arts and Letters