The White House has unveiled the 20 honorees for this year’s National Medals of Arts.
Renowned filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Spike Lee, along with music icons Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah, are among those being recognized. President Joe Biden will present the medals at an official ceremony.
These celebrated awards acknowledge individuals and organizations impacting the rich cultural landscape of the United States.
In addition to the arts recipients, Biden will also present 19 National Humanities Medals to notable figures like playwright Aaron Sorkin, historian Jon Meacham, and former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo.
As the premier awards for artistic achievement from the federal government, the National Medal of Arts and the National Humanities Medal highlight essential contributions to our cultural and human understanding.
Both awards are overseen by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Established by Congress in 1984, these honors were first awarded in 1985.
The selection process involves the National Council on the Arts considering public nominations before recommending candidates to the president.
The White House states this initiative is part of President Biden’s mission to “celebrate artists and scholars who elevate our communities.”
The awards ceremony for the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts and the National Humanities Medals will take place in the East Room, followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m. ET with remarks from the President, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and the chairs of the respective endowments.
This year, three medals will be awarded posthumously, honoring the legacy of singer Selena Quintanilla, artist Ruth Asawa, and chef Anthony Bourdain, who passed away in 1995, 2013, and 2018 respectively. It remains to be seen who will represent them during the ceremony.
Additional arts recipients include actors Idina Menzel and Eva Longoria, musician Flaco Jiménez, and producer Bruce Cohen, as well as photographer Carrie Mae Weems and painter Alex Katz, along with arts advocates Jo Carole Lauder and Bruce Sagan.
The National Humanities Medalists feature actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton, known for his role in Reading Rainbow, and educator Robert Martin, who focuses on Indigenous higher education.
Tune in for live remarks at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press