The American Academy of Arts and Letters has voted in Bob Dylan as an honorary member. (He’ll be the first rock musician to be inducted by the group; most of its musical members are classical musicians.)

The academy also voted to induct writer Ward Just, artist Richard Tuttle and painter and printmaker Terry Winters as full members. Writer Damon Galgut, architect Rafael Moneo and artist Luc Tuymans were voted in as honorary members alongside Dylan.

Photo: Dylan in 1963. Credit: Associated Press

Judges hand down the law with help from Bob Dylan, reports Carol J. Williams. “No musician’s lyrics are more often cited than Dylan’s in court opinions and briefs, say legal experts who have chronicled the artist’s influence on today’s legal community. From U.S. Supreme Court rulings to law school courses, Dylan’s words are used to convey messages about the law and courts gone astray.”

Photo: Cover art for “The Times They Are A-Changin’”