The Society of Fellows is a century-year-old organization whose membership is comprised of those who have been awarded a Fellowship, Affiliated Fellowship, or Residency at the American Academy in Rome. Prize winners become members of the Society upon completing their residence at the Academy.

Those whose prizes were awarded through the Academy are given the title Fellow of the American Academy in Rome (FAAR) followed by the year their residence was completed. Those whose prizes came from an affiliated institution are Affiliated Fellows (AFAAR). Senior artists and scholars who were invited to spend a period residing at the Academy are officially called Residents and carry the title RAAR. These three titles are granted in perpetuity.

The mission of the Society of Fellows provides a public platform that amplifies the voices of its diverse members while celebrating their achievements. The Society is a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge between members and with the public. It produces unique events, shares members’ content, and fosters networks for collaboration. The Society provides meaningful and inclusive engagement while increasing the impact of its members.

The platform of the Society of Fellows shall have the following purpose:

• Share members’ recent work in the arts and humanities by producing and distributing content in multiple forums
• Develop programs and initiatives that connect members across varied disciplines upon their return from Rome
• Foster national and local collaboration within the network and provide mentorship across multiple generations

The organization is governed by eighteen Fellows and Residents who represent various fields in the arts and humanities.

The Society of Fellows can be found here:

• Vimeo
• Instagram
• Facebook (public)
• Facebook Group (for Fellows, Residents, Fellow Travelers)
• Twitter

Members of the SOF Council are elected to fill two- and four-year terms on a rolling basis as needed to fill vacancies. The council appoints a Nominating Committee, which includes a chair (who is a member of the council) and four members who are not on the council. This committee solicits nominations from active members and draws up a slate for election as officers and members of the council, representing each discipline and at least one newly returned Fellow.

Those interested in serving on the council can send an email to sof [at] aarome.org (sof[at]aarome[dot]org).

President

Phu Hoang, 2017 Fellow in Architecture
Associate Professor and Head of Architecture, Knowlton School, Ohio State University; and Founding Director, MODU

Secretary

Anna Serotta, 2015 Fellow in Historic Preservation and Conservation
Associate Conservator, Department of Objects Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Treasurer

Kevin Dicus, 2017 Fellow in Ancient Studies
Associate Professor, Department of Classics, University of Oregon

Council Members 2019–23

Aaron S. Allen, 2012 Fellow in Modern Italian Studies
Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of the Environment and Sustainability Program, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Communications and Outreach

Kristi Cheramie, 2017 Fellow in Landscape Architecture
Professor and Head of Landscape Architecture, Knowlton School, Ohio State University
Communications and Outreach

Elizabeth Fain LaBombard, 2014 Fellow in Landscape Architecture
Principal, Land and Urban Planning, Walt Disney Imagineering
Vice President, Co-Chair of Membership and Initiatives

Molissa Fenley, 2008 Fellow in Design
Owner, Molissa Fenley and Company
Vice President, Co-Chair of Programs and Events

Meisha Hunter Burkett, 2007 Fellow in Historic Preservation and Conservation
Senior Preservationist, Li/Saltzman Architects
Vice President, Co-Chair of Membership and Initiatives

Dave King, 2007 Fellow in Literature
Novelist, Brooklyn, New York
Membership and Initiatives

Hérica Valladares, 2009 Fellow in Ancient Studies, 2023 Resident
Associate Professor, Department of Classics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Programs and Events

Council Members 2021–25

Sean Anderson, 2005 Fellow in Modern Italian Studies
Associate Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Architecture Program, Cornell University
Vice President, Co-Chair, Programs and Events

Paul Arpaia, 2008 Fellow in Modern Italian Studies
Professor of History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Membership and Initiatives

Caroline Cheung, 2017 Fellow in Ancient Studies
Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Princeton University
Membership and Initiatives

Robert Clines, 2017 Fellow in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies
Associate Professor of History and International Studies, Western Carolina University
Vice President, Co-Chair, Communications and Outreach

Javier Galindo, 2016 Fellow in Architecture
Senior Associate Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox, New York
Communications and Outreach

Andrew Horne, 2017 Fellow in Ancient Studies
Visiting Assistant Professor, Providence College
Vice President, Co-Chair, Communications and Outreach

Annalisa Metta, 2017 Italian Fellow in Landscape Architecture
Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Roma Tre University
Programs and Events

Lori Wong, 2019 Fellow in Historic Preservation and Conservation
Conservator, Building and Sites Department, Getty Conservation Institute
Membership and Initiatives

The Communications and Outreach Committee fosters a network of members after their return from Rome. The committee’s communication activities include publicly sharing news, publicizing accomplishments, and maintaining online networks. The committee also conducts outreach to further members disciplinary relationships and to facilitate connections. If you want to share recent news or suggest outreach, please contact us at SOFcomms.outreach [at] gmail.com (SOFcomms[dot]outreach[at]gmail[dot]com).

Co-Chairs

Robert Clines
Andrew Horne

The Membership and Initiatives Committee identifies member needs and interests that facilitate meaningful and inclusive engagement. Initiatives encourage member participation by sharing knowledge gained during Academy residencies or after their return. The committee also conducts special initiatives that provide further connections between members and organizations in the arts and humanities. If you would like to share knowledge or make suggestions, please contact us at SOFmembership [at] gmail.com (SOFmembership[at]gmail[dot]com).

Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Fain-LaBombard
Meisha Hunter Burkett

The Programs and Events Committee organizes public programs that showcase the recent work of members. The Tuesday Talks series are online discussions between leaders in the arts and humanities. The Gatherings series are intimate, local tours organized around upcoming concerts, book launches, exhibitions, openings, readings, etc. SALONE, an upcoming live performance and video event, will occur on November 8, 2021, at Roulette in Brooklyn, New York. Tickets can be purchased here. If you would like to suggest a Gatherings or Tuesday Talks program, please contact us at SOFprograms.events [at] gmail.com (SOFprograms[dot]events[at]gmail[dot]com).

Co-Chairs

Sean Anderson
Molissa Fenley

You may contact the group by writing to: Society of Fellows, American Academy in Rome, 535 West 22nd Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10011; or sof [at] aarome.org (sof[at]aarome[dot]org). You may also call 212-751-7200.