The Academia Operosorum Labacensium is a forerunner of the modern Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. It was founded in Ljubljana in 1693 as an association of 23 scholars. Most of the members, which included 13 lawyers, six theologians, and four medical doctors, were ethnically Slovene. The newly founded library became an important centre of activity for its members. The Operosi were very influential in the development of the arts in Ljubljana and throughout the Slovene cultural area.