[AMPAS] – The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the creation of the Costume Designers Branch. Costume designers had previously been a part of the Designers Branch, which also includes production designers, art directors and set decorators. Academy Governor Jeffrey Kurland will transfer to the newly created branch and eventually be joined by two additional governors.

“History was made at the Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday night with the formation of a Costume Designers Branch,” said Kurland. “Costume designers have waited a long time for recognition with branch status. As a governor representing these designers, I’m thrilled and grateful for the Academy’s support.”

At the same meeting, the governors voted to increase the representation of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch from one to three governors. Two new governors will be chosen by election later this year to join current governor Leonard Engelman. The Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, the most recent branch to be created, was formed in 2006.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the task of representing the Academy’s makeup artists and hairstylists with two of my colleagues,” Engelman said. “New governors will bring new ideas, which will help to keep the Academy’s leadership strong and sharp.”

“Congratulations to our members from these essential craft areas. Movies are a visual medium and costume designers, makeup artists, and hairstylists help to create images that tell stories,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “This recognition is richly deserved.”

These decisions were voted at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, January 23, and will take effect in July after Board elections are held. The new Costume Designers Branch governors and the two new Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch governors will bring the size of the Academy’s Board to 48 members, with three governors representing each of the 16 branches.