Charles Steinhorn
In 2026, the United States celebrates the Year of Mathematics, a nationwide initiative designed to engage the public with the beauty, power, and relevance of the mathematical sciences. Organized by the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences, the celebration will feature community programs, film screenings, educational initiatives, and collaborations across the country. The effort also coincides with the United States hosting the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia, making the year a unique opportunity to spotlight mathematics and statistics for a broad public audience.
A Global Mathematical Moment
The 2026 celebration will culminate with the International Congress of Mathematicians, scheduled for July 23–30 in Philadelphia. Held every four years, the ICM brings together mathematicians from around the world to share advances in research and recognize outstanding achievements. For host countries, the congress is both a scientific milestone and a point of national pride.
Among the highlights of the opening ceremony are several major scientific awards, including the Fields Medal, widely considered the highest honor in mathematics and often compared to a Nobel Prize for the discipline. First awarded in 1936, the medal recognizes extraordinary mathematical achievement and promise.
The congress will be preceded by the 20th General Assembly of the International Mathematical Union, taking place July 20–21 in New York City.
Coordinating a Nationwide Effort
The Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences, an umbrella organization representing 19 leading mathematics and statistics societies—including the American Statistical Association—will coordinate the Year of Mathematics activities. Together, CBMS organizations represent more than 110,000 professionals, including educators, researchers, and industry practitioners.
Throughout the year, the initiative will highlight a different CBMS member organization each month on the Year of Math website, helping introduce the public to the wide range of work being done across the mathematical sciences community.
Meanwhile, a congressional resolution declaring 2026 a national Year of Math is making its way through Congress. The resolution was introduced in the Senate by Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Jon Hickenlooper of Colorado, with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania leading sponsorship in the House.
Bringing Mathematics to Communities
One of the central goals of the Year of Mathematics is to make mathematics accessible to the public through programs hosted in libraries, schools, and community centers.
As part of this effort, local institutions will be able to screen one of four award-winning mathematical documentaries produced by filmmaker George Csicsery of Zala Films. The films, available for a licensing fee, are intended to spark conversation and engagement around mathematics in community settings.
Among the featured films are the two-part documentary Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience and Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Creating Pathways, which highlight the experiences of Black scholars who overcame segregation and systemic barriers while transforming the field of mathematics. Produced with guidance from the National Association of Mathematicians, the films explore both historical pioneers and the ongoing impact of their work on today’s mathematicians.
Another film, Secrets of the Surface, tells the story of Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, who in 2014 became the first woman and the first Iranian to receive the Fields Medal. Through interviews with colleagues, teachers, and students, the documentary explores Mirzakhani’s groundbreaking research and enduring inspiration for young mathematicians around the world.
Mathematics and Financial Literacy
The Year of Math initiative will also launch “Math and the Game of Finance,” a free 90-minute financial literacy program for adults beginning this month. Designed as a hands-on session, the program explores fundamental concepts such as time, risk, wealth, and value while helping participants understand the mathematics behind everyday financial decisions.
Volunteer session leaders from the Society of Actuaries will facilitate the program, while the Financial Life Cycle Education Corp. will provide training and support for volunteers.
ASA members and other mathematical sciences professionals are encouraged to help bring these programs to their communities by connecting local libraries, schools, and community centers with available resources.
Opportunities for Community Participation
The Year of Math initiative also invites event proposals from organizations, groups, and individuals interested in celebrating mathematics in creative ways. Submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Year of Math Program Committee and, if accepted, added to the national event calendar. Approved events may also receive promotional support through the Year of Math website and branding materials.
Examples of participating organizations include The Young People’s Project and The Actuarial Foundation, both of which focus on expanding public engagement with mathematics.
Mathematics on Stage
The celebration will extend beyond classrooms and lecture halls into the performing arts. The Year of Math initiative is collaborating on an upcoming Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–winning play Proof, which explores themes of mathematical brilliance, family, and discovery.
The production will feature an all-Black cast and will be directed by the original director of Hamilton. While details are still emerging, organizers encourage ASA members and others in the New York area to attend.
Complementing the theatrical collaboration, the Year of Math website will also release “Math on Stage” videos, created by Emma LaPlace, highlighting plays and performances that incorporate mathematical ideas.
A Year to Celebrate Mathematics
From public film screenings to financial literacy workshops, theatrical collaborations, and community-driven events, the 2026 Year of Mathematics aims to demonstrate that mathematics is not only foundational to science and technology, but also deeply connected to everyday life.
By inviting the public to explore mathematics through stories, culture, and real-world applications, organizers hope the initiative will inspire a renewed appreciation for the role mathematics plays in shaping our world.
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