AIA News

January 5, 2021

In Memoriam: Artemis Joukowsky


It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of Artemis Joukowsky’s passing and offer our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

A trustee of the AIA from 1993 to 1998, Artemis passed away on December 11, 2020, at the age of 89.

Artemis was born in Shanghai, China, and immigrated to the United States in his youth. In 1955, he graduated from Brown University. Shortly thereafter, he married his college sweetheart Martha Sharp Joukowsky and together they raised three children.

Artemis devoted his business career to the American International Group, serving in the Special World Markets Division all over the world, then becoming President of the Socialist Countries Division. At this time, he returned to the United States and settled in New York. In 2004, Artemis and his wife Maria established the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University. Artemis was a deeply committed supporter of his alma mater, serving in a variety of positions ranging from Trustee to Chancellor over the years. He co-founded the Brown Sports Association and chaired both the Public Arts Committee and the Facilities and Design Committee. Additionally, Artemis served on the Medical School Overseas and Executive Committee, and the Bio-Medical Affairs Committee in support of Brown’s medical school.

Artemis was a longtime supporter of the AIA, keeping a keen eye on financial affairs. In 1997, the AIA’s Distinguished Service Award was renamed the Martha and Artemis Joukowsky Distinguished Service Award in their honor. This award recognizes AIA members who have furthered the work of the Institute. In 1998, Artemis and Martha helped lead the National Lecture Endowment Campaign to raise funds to support endowments for Societies that did not have endowed national lectures at the time. More recently, Artemis was honored with the Bandelier Award at the AIA’s 2nd Annual gala in 2010.

The AIA has planted a grove of three trees in honor of Artemis. The field of archaeology and the AIA are indebted to Artemis Joukowsky’s boundless generosity. He will be deeply missed.

support Us

The AIA is North America's largest and oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to archaeology. The Institute advances awareness, education, fieldwork, preservation, publication, and research of archaeological sites and cultural heritage throughout the world. Your contribution makes a difference.