Full Breakdown
Amy Homma Elevated to Oversee Academy Collection and New Acquisitions Announced
1/14/2026, 2:28:13 AM
Leadership Changes at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Amy Homma has been appointed to oversee the Academy Collection, which comprises approximately 52 million film-related items, in addition to her role as director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This organizational change aims to unify the Academy's collections, conservation, preservation, exhibitions, and screening efforts under a single leadership structure for the first time. Homma will collaborate closely with Matt Severson, Executive Vice President of Academy Collection and Preservation, and the teams at the Academy Film Archive and the Margaret Herrick Library.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer emphasized the significance of this integration, stating, “Bringing our collections and museum teams together is a logical evolution of our preservation and conservation work.” He praised Homma as a capable leader who will enhance the reach of the Academy Collection.
Recent Additions to the Academy Collection
The Academy has announced a series of new acquisitions to its collection, which includes notable items such as the screen-used hero bicycle from the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and rare scripts and correspondence belonging to Orson Welles. Other significant items include:
- Tap shoes worn by James Cagney in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942)
- Costume design drawings by Edith Head for Kim Novak in “Vertigo” (1958)
- Handwritten music scores by Dimitri Tiomkin for “High Noon” (1952)
- Behind-the-scenes photographs from “Jaws” (1975)
- The couture gown worn by Cicely Tyson at the 91st Oscars
Additionally, the Academy has acquired the Kobal Foundation Collection of Photograph Negatives, which contains around 20,000 original negatives from prominent Hollywood photographers. The collection also expanded its core reference materials with over 600 books, 2,600 magazines, and 2,200 posters from 46 countries.
Official Statements on the New Direction
In her statement, Homma expressed her commitment to the Academy's mission, saying, “With our library, archive, and museum, the Academy is the world’s premier place to celebrate, preserve, and learn about our cinematic history.” She aims to unite the various teams under a common vision to enhance access to these valuable resources for the global community.
Kramer reiterated the importance of these efforts, noting, “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.”
Conclusion
The elevation of Amy Homma to oversee both the Academy Museum and the Academy Collection marks a significant step in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' efforts to consolidate its preservation and exhibition initiatives. The recent acquisitions further enrich the Academy's resources, reinforcing its role as a leader in the conservation of cinematic history.
