Amy Homma to Lead Unified Academy Museum and Collection, Expanding Film Preservation Efforts
In a critically important move to consolidate and enhance the Academy’s dedication to cinematic history, Amy Homma has been appointed to oversee both the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Academy Collection. This marks a pivotal moment for the organization, bringing together its public-facing museum with its vast archival resources under a single leader. The announcement, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, signals a new era of accessibility and preservation for the world’s largest collection of film-related artifacts.
A Unified Vision for Film History
Since 2024,Homma has served as the director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Now, her expanded role encompasses the Academy Collection, a repository of over 52 million items documenting the art and science of filmmaking. This consolidation is designed to streamline operations and foster a more cohesive approach to the Academy’s preservation and exhibition efforts. It’s the first time all aspects – collections, conservation, preservation, exhibitions, and screenings – will be under one individual’s direction.
“Bringing our collections and museum teams together is a logical evolution of our preservation and conservation work,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer. “Amy Homma is a fantastic leader who, along with Matt Severson and his stellar collections teams, will greatly expand the reach of our Academy Collection — just as she has done with the Academy Museum.”
Collaboration and Accessibility
Homma will work closely with Matt Severson, executive vice president of the Academy Collection and Preservation, alongside the teams at the Academy Film Archive and the Margaret Herrick Library. This collaborative approach aims to unlock the full potential of the academy’s resources, making them more accessible to researchers, filmmakers, and the public alike.
“With our library, archive and museum, the Academy is the world’s premier place to celebrate, preserve and learn about our cinematic history,” Homma shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “I am honored to work with each of these incredibly talented teams and, alongside Matt, unite them under one common vision to bring these valuable resources to our global community.”
Severson echoed this sentiment, stating, “Through this alignment of our institution-wide preservation efforts and of the Academy collection, we will have the chance to make film history more accessible to the next generation of filmmakers. I am so excited to welcome Amy and to strategically work to move this critical work forward.”
Recent Acquisitions: Expanding the Collection
The Academy’s commitment to preserving film history is underscored by a recent influx of significant acquisitions. These additions highlight the breadth and depth of the collection, encompassing iconic props, personal papers, and restored films. Some notable recent additions include:
- The hero bicycle from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
- Rare scripts and correspondence from Orson Welles
- Tap shoes worn by James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
- Costume design drawings by Edith Head for Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958)
- Dimitri Tiomkin’s original score for High Noon (1952)
- Behind-the-scenes photographs from the set of Jaws (1975)
- Personal collections from Allison Anders, Arthur Dong, Sherry Lansing, Walter Mirisch, and Freida Lee mock
- The life cast and registration mask of Tom Hanks used for The Polar Express (2004)
- Cicely Tyson’s couture gown worn to the 91st Academy awards
- Costumes designed by Charles Lemaire and mark Bridges
- Restorations of Mysterious Skin (2004), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), and Saint Joan (1957)
- Oscar statuettes awarded to John Alcott, Ray Gilbert, and Warren Newcombe
- The Kobal Foundation collection of Photograph Negatives (approximately 20,000 images)
- Over 600 books, 2,600 magazines, and 2,200 posters from 46 countries
“the preservation of our global film history is a core focus of the academy, and we are honored to add so many exciting items to our ever-growing Academy Collection,” Kramer emphasized. “The collection serves as an important tool for research, scholarship, exhibitions and programs.”
The Importance of Film Preservation
The Academy’s efforts are crucial in a rapidly changing media landscape. Film, as an art form and a historical record, is vulnerable to deterioration and loss. Preservation ensures that future generations can experience and learn from the cinematic achievements of the past. The Academy Collection serves not only as a repository of artifacts but also as a vital resource for filmmakers, scholars, and enthusiasts worldwide.
By uniting the museum and collection under Homma’s leadership, the Academy is positioning itself to play an even more significant role in safeguarding and celebrating the legacy of film for years to come.
