President Biden Honors Cultural Icons with National Medals
President Joe Biden recently celebrated the remarkable contributions of filmmakers, musicians, writers, and various other artists who have significantly impacted American culture. In a prestigious ceremony, he awarded the esteemed National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals to a total of 39 distinguished recipients.
The National Medals of Arts are presented to individuals or groups whose exceptional contributions have enhanced the excellence, growth, support, and accessibility of the arts in the United States. In contrast, the National Humanities Medals recognize individuals or organizations that have deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, fostered citizen engagement with history and literature, or helped preserve and expand cultural resources for Americans.
Among the illustrious recipients of the National Medals of Arts were renowned filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Ken Burns. Also honored were acclaimed musicians such as Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah. The National Humanities Medals were awarded to 19 recipients, including the celebrated playwright and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and esteemed historian Jon Meacham.
- Notable actors such as Idina Menzel and Eva Longoria
- Producer Bruce Cohen
- Musicians Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez and Herbert I. Ohta
- Photographers Randy A. Batista and Clyde Butcher
- Artists Carrie Mae Weems, Alex Katz, and Mark Bradford
- Arts leaders Jo Carole Lauder and Bruce Sagan
- The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Three of the medals were awarded posthumously: the late singer Selena Quintanilla and artist Ruth Asawa were recipients of the arts medals, while the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain received a humanities medal.
During the ceremony, President Biden remarked, “Above all, you are the masters of your craft, and you have made America a better place through your extraordinary contributions.”
The humanities medalists included a diverse array of cultural institutions such as the Mellon Foundation and Appalshop, along with educators Robin Harris, Robert Martin, and Ruth J. Simmons. Scholars such as Pauline Yu, Nicolás Kanellos, and Robin Wall Kimmerer were also honored. Additionally, writer Juan Felipe Herrera, filmmaker Dawn Porter, and anthropologist Rosita Worl received accolades.
- Former US poet laureate Joy Harjo
- Actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton
- Cartoonist Roz Chast
- Philanthropists Wallis Annenberg and Darren Walker
While addressing the esteemed audience, President Biden took a moment to commend Vice President Kamala Harris on her campaign for the White House. “I know the power of the women in this room to get things done,” he stated, adding that the female winners exemplified that “a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some, including being president of the United States.” This statement was met with a resounding standing ovation.
Furthermore, Biden emphasized the significance of the moment, declaring that it is a “very consequential time in the arts and humanities in America.” He expressed concern about “extreme forces that are banning books, attempting to erase history, and spreading misinformation,” highlighting the importance of protecting cultural expression and knowledge.
