Founded in 1987, the Italian Art Society is dedicated to the study of Italian art and architecture from prehistory to the present day. With a membership of more than 350 established and emerging scholars, graduate students, and aficionados, the IAS is a vital force in generating new knowledge about the visual arts on the Italian peninsula and neighboring islands. It actively promotes scholarly exchange through the IAS/Kress Lecture Series in Italy, sponsored sessions at six major North American conferences (American Association of Italian Studies, College Art Association, International Congress on Medieval Studies, Renaissance Society of America, Sixteenth Century Society & Conference, and Society of Architectural Historians), travel grants for scholars presenting at these conferences, and research and publication grants to scholars working on Italian topics. The IAS newsletter, website, and blog are further resources, designed to share news in to the field of Italian art studies and to enable members to engage each other on issues of mutual interest.

The Italian Art Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity; all contributions are tax deductible to the amount permitted by law.