In what year was the Recording Academy founded?

The Recording Academy was founded in 1957.

Its original name was the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, commonly abbreviated as NARAS. The organization was created by music-industry professionals to represent the recording field and establish an awards program honoring artistic and technical achievement.

The first Grammy Awards followed two years later, in 1959. That timing is a common source of confusion: 1957 is the academy’s founding year, while 1959 is the year of the inaugural Grammy ceremonies.

The academy later expanded its work beyond the ceremony, including advocacy, professional development, archival efforts, and charitable support through MusiCares. Its awards remain its best-known public activity.