 In 1837, a new statute in the Papal States provided funds for annual art competitions.The title “Pontifical” was conferred by Pope Pius IX in 1861 and “Academy” was added by Pope Pius XI in 1928.A new statute in 1995 defines the goal of the academy as one of “favoring the study and practice of letters and fine arts with particular regard to sacred art and Christian literature…in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Culture”.