National Endowment for the Arts  
Lifetime Honors
  National Medal of Arts  
 

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. The National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who "...are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States."

During the past 25 years, more than 250 extraordinary patrons and artists in the fields of visual, performing, and literary arts have been honored. With this medal, the President recognizes the wealth and depth of creative expression of America's artists. Hundreds of nominations are submitted by citizens across the country for consideration by the National Council on the Arts every year.

This lifetime achievement award recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals engaged in the creation and production of the arts in the United States. The arts encompass arts education, crafts, dance, drawing, film, graphic/product design, interior design, landscape architecture, literature, classical and popular music, painting, patrons/advocates, photography, presenting, printmaking, sculpture, theater, and urban design.

President Obama with Rita Moreno   President Obama with Joseph P. Riley

2009 National Medal of Arts recipient and singer/dancer/actress Rita Moreno receives her medal from President Barack Obama at an East Room ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2010. Photo by Richard Frasier

2009 National Medal of Arts recipient and arts patron/design advocate Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. receives his medal from President Barack Obama at an East Room ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2010. Photo by Richard Frasier

     
President Obama with Jessye Norman   President Obama with Michael Tilson Thomas

2009 National Medal of Arts recipient and soprano Jessye Norman receives her medal from President Barack Obama at an East Room ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2010. Photo by Richard Frasier

 

2009 National Medal of Arts recipient and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas receives his medal from President Barack Obama at an East Room ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2010. Photo by Richard Frasier

 

 

 


Nominations for 2010 are no longer being accepted