Arts-Sciences-Lettres

Arts-Sciences-Lettres (ASL), subtitled Société académique d'encouragement et d'éducation, is a French learned society founded in 1915 by René Flament. Its mission is to recognize and promote individuals who, through their talent and work, contribute to the influence of French culture in the artistic, literary, and scientific domains. Unlike the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres created in 1957, ASL is a private initiative, not a government order, though it operates under the high patronage of the President of the Republic. The society has delegates in 22 countries who help establish international cultural exchanges. It awards medals in platinum, gold, vermeil, silver, tin, and bronze, accompanied by a diploma, to French and non-French personalities. The awards are traditionally presented at the Grand Hôtel InterContinental Paris Le Grand. ASL is a non-profit association under French law and is not a commercial brand in the traditional sense, but it operates a trademarked awards program and related activities.

Arts-Sciences-Lettres (ASL) was founded in 1915 by René Flament as the Société académique d'encouragement et d'éducation. Its purpose was to valorize individual work that highlights France around the world. Unlike the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres created in 1957, ASL is not a government-established order but a private initiative, though it operates under the high patronage of the President of the Republic. The society was initially led by Professeur Henry from its founding, then by Edmond Petitfils from 1925, a lawyer residing in Charleville and deputy of the Ardennes; Raymond Armbruster in 1929, general councilor of the Aube and senator under the Third Republic; and Roger Pinoteau in 1963, deputy and member of the National Academy of Medicine, who introduced aviation and variety domains among the distinctions proposed by the superior commission. ASL is supported by personalities from various backgrounds, including Paul Painlevé, Albert Calmette, Charles Richet, André Citroën, Rachel Boyer, and Anna de Noailles. Its honorary committee includes former ministers, deputies, members of the Pasteur Institute, the Conservatory, the Society of National Economy, designers, creators, teachers, inventors, and military personnel with the Legion of Honor. Thousands of active members participate in visits and conferences. The awards are not to be confused with prizes of the Académie française. Historically, they have been awarded to a prestigious public beyond national borders: Nobel Prize winners, academicians, religious figures, queens, doctors, publishers, directors of journals or theaters, professors, philanthropists, writers, sculptors, hosts, singers, musicians from all countries. Originally organized as an order of merit with three grades—chevalier (bronze), officier (silver), and commandeur (vermeil)—each member received a cross of honor on a blue and white ribbon. In 1981, a decree against so-called fanciful orders and decorations led ASL to change its distinction to a 'medal' (bronze, silver, vermeil, gold, platinum). After 2008, the form changed definitively from a medal worn on clothing to a table medal, with the addition of a 'tin' echelon, the cross of Arts on the obverse, and the 'ASL' monogram on the reverse, made by Maison Bacqueville in the Galerie Montpensier of the current Constitutional Council. The Institute now awards medals of platinum, gold, vermeil, silver, tin, and bronze, with a buttonhole insignia, to French and non-French personalities who have contributed to the dissemination of French culture. To be eligible, one must be nominated by third parties to the Institute's representative, though self-nomination has occurred in the past. Based on a portfolio submitted by the delegate with proof of the candidate's achievements, the jury decides the award and class. The medal is accompanied by a diploma stating the value of the prize, the recipient's name, and the corresponding discipline, following the motto: Honor and recognition 'to women' or 'to men' of value. To be eligible for a subsequent medal, the candidate must be nominated again based on new achievements, with minimum periods required between echelons: two years between bronze and tin; four years between tin and silver; five years between silver and vermeil; eight years between vermeil and gold; ten years between gold and platinum. Awards are traditionally presented at the Grand Hôtel InterContinental Paris Le Grand, near the Opéra Garnier. Exceptionally, a special prize or honorary diploma, as well as a grande médaille d'or or grande médaille de vermeil, may be awarded.

• 2008

  Medal form changes definitively to table medal; tin echelon added; made by Maison Bacqueville.

• 1981

  Decree against fanciful orders leads to change from grades to medals (bronze, silver, vermeil, gold, platinum).

• 1963

  Roger Pinoteau becomes president; introduces aviation and variety domains.

• 1929

  Raymond Armbruster becomes president.

• 1925

  Edmond Petitfils becomes president.

• 1915

  Founded by René Flament as Société académique d'encouragement et d'éducation.

Private academic society awarding medals to promote French culture; not a government order.

• Médaille de platine

  Highest echelon, awarded after gold with a minimum of ten years.

• Médaille d'or

  Awarded after vermeil with a minimum of eight years.

• Médaille de vermeil

  Awarded after silver with a minimum of five years.

• Médaille d'argent

  Awarded after tin with a minimum of four years.

• Médaille d'étain

  Awarded after bronze with a minimum of two years.

• Médaille de bronze

  Entry-level medal.

• Diplôme d'honneur

  Accompanies the medal, stating the value of the prize and the discipline.

1. 1ARTS - SCIENCES - LETTRES | Paris | Site Officielarts-sciences-lettres.fr
2. 2Arts-Sciences-Lettreswikidata.org
3. 3Arts-Sciences-Lettresfr.wikipedia.org