The Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti originated in the Reale Istituto Nazionale, founded for Italy by Napoleon at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was then re-established under its current name by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria in 1838, and subsequently recognised as being of national interest when Veneto became a part of Italy. It is organised as an academy, whose members are elected by the Assembly of ordinary members and nominated with ministerial decree. All the nominations are confirmed by decree of the Ministry of Cultural Works and Activities. In addition to the normal academic activities and monthly members’ meetings, the Istituto regularly promotes events of a scientific and humanist nature, study meetings, conferences, seminars and post-graduate and post-doctorate schools. The Istituto Veneto has made specific agreements for scientific and research cooperation with Padua and Venice universities, and with various other universities and research centres in Italy and abroad. It awards numerous prizes and study scholarships in order to encourage research into historic and scientific subjects. The Istituto publishes a quarterly magazine and several series of monographic studies of recognised importance. It also organises study conferences, various post-graduate schools and scientific seminars. Projects in the field of contemporary history, environmental sciences and for the safeguarding of the city of Venice and its lagoon must be noted in particular. It has a rich library and various archives including that of Luigi Luzzatti. In 1999 it bought the Palazzo Franchetti, a prestigious Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal, which is just a few metres from the Palazzo Loredan. Largely reconstructed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by Giovanni Battista Meduna and Camillo Boito, it now contains modern conference rooms equipped with the most up-to-date computer and audio-visual equipment.