The U.S. music legend Bob Dylan was voted into the elite American Academy of Arts and Letters Tuesday, becoming the first rock artist to be part of the prominent hall of fame.

Dylan, 71, was picked as an honorary member by the academy, as the voting members were uncertain whether to recognize the iconic singer/songwriter for his words or music, following the earlier choice of Meryl Streep, Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese.

The protest icon will be formally inducted into the academy at a May event to be held in New York, home to America's elite cultural institution. He will join fellow iconic figures including writers Allen Ginsberg, Ezra Pound, Sinclair Lewis, Kurt Vonnegut and composer Duke Ellington.

Along with Dylan, Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, South African writer Damon Galgut and Belgian artist Luc Tuymans, all foreigners, were also named as honorary members.

The U.S. novelist Ward Just, artist Richard Tuttle and painter/printmaker Terry Winters were also recognized as new members which encompass music, literature and visual arts.

The American Academy of Arts and Letters, founded in 1898, aims to "foster, assist, and sustain an interest in literature, music, and the fine arts." It has 250 formal members. Endi

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