Mission: To foster a growing awareness, understanding and acceptance of ayn rand's revolutionary philosophy, objectivism, in order to create a culture whose guiding principles are reason, rational self-interest, and laissez-faire capitalism, a culture in which individuals are free to pursue their own happiness.
Programs: Educational programs: donated nearly 350,000 free copies of ayn rands books to high school and middle school teachers and students. Held three essay contests on ayn rands novels, which drew more than 22,000 entries. Provided support to more than a dozen campus clubs, including providing speakers for 26 campus events. The objectivist academic center (oac) graduated 13 students from the one-year core course and 9 from the old four-year core program. Offered 20 students a three-week internship experience, including seminars and one-on-one tutorials. Distributed more than 7,000 books to young people at free market organizations. Ari campus continued to offer online courses from beginner to advanced levels on ayn rands fiction works and on her philosophy and its application, adding almost 38 hours of new course content. The courses are free and open to anyone interested in ayn rands ideas. Nearly 4,000 individuals enrolled in online courses during the year.
outreach programs: completed overhaul of ari's digital presence, including a brand new aynrand. Org and retiring over 25 social media properties and websites to create a streamlined user experience that more effectively engages audiences with our brand and content. Arranged more than 90 public appearances in the us and in more than 12 foreign countries. Ari speakers were hosted on tv/radio programs 212 times, and 14 op-eds were published. Published the article the broken state of american health insurance prior to the affordable care act and the books rooseveltcare by don watkins and teaching johnny to think by leonard peikoff.
other: the ayn rand archives began digitizing a large amount of analog audio (reel-to-reel tapes), acquired a papers collection from andrew lewis (the radio show papers), conducted 9 oral history interviews on the objectivist movement, conducted 5 media interviews (on ideal), and hosted 9 researchers who examined materials both in person and online. The ari estore (estore. Aynrand. Com) continued to publish and sell hundreds of downloadable recordings on objectivism and related topics, and is continually releasing new recordings. Objectivist summer conference 2014 was held in las vegas, nv, with more than 450 people attending in-person or via livestream.
Whether you are attracted to individual rights, artistic integrity, long term happiness & fulfillment, freedom from force, or simply the profound but often denied value of reason & reality in everyday life, the Ayn Rand Institute is making your world a better place through their worldwide educational efforts.
I was looking for an interesting book to read back in 1957 when I came across a paperback about an architect and the woman who loved him in a confused sort of way. That book was "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. I loved it. I didn't decide then to become an architect; I was just too busy trying to stay out of trouble and make a living, too. Years later, the Ayn Rand Institute was founded and I've been a contributor for many years. It's a great organization, keeping the flame of rational thinking alive in a crazy world.
