Home / Arts and Entertainment / Academy Museum Embraces Broader Appeal Under New Leadership
Academy Museum Embraces Broader Appeal Under New Leadership
29 Jan
Summary
- Amy Homma now oversees Academy Collection of 52 million film items.
- Museum now features broader appeal exhibitions like 'Barbie' and 'Jaws'.
- Homma prioritizes listening to diverse voices to improve museum offerings.
Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, now also oversees the Academy Collection, comprising 52 million film-related items. This consolidation aims to better link the Academy's history and preservation efforts. Homma, who previously worked at the Smithsonian, joined the Academy Museum in 2019, becoming director in July 2024.
The museum has adapted its programming to include exhibitions with broader appeal, such as those on 'Barbie' and 'Jaws,' alongside scholarly content. Homma emphasizes a strategy of listening to various experts and constituents to ensure a plurality of perspectives are represented. This approach aims to balance timely and timeless narratives, catering to diverse visitor experiences.
Following initial concerns about the representation of Hollywood's Jewish founders, the museum's 'Hollywoodland' exhibition has been refined and is now a top-rated experience. Homma acknowledges the need to balance contextualizing histories with offering joyful escapism for visitors.
The museum experienced its strongest holiday season to date, with queues of visitors indicating the success of its revised direction. Homma reports to the Academy Museum board of trustees, chaired by Olivier de Givenchy, who provide strategic guidance. Future plans include digitizing collection treasures for broader access through platforms like YouTube, following the Academy's deal with YouTube for Oscar broadcasts starting in 2029.
