NEW YORK (AP) — On Monday, President Joe Biden celebrated a diverse group of talented individuals from the arts and humanities whose contributions have significantly shaped American culture. During a ceremony at the White House, he presented the esteemed National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals to a total of 39 honorees.
Among the distinguished recipients of the National Medals of Arts were renowned filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Ken Burns, along with celebrated artists such as singers Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah. The National Humanities Medals were awarded to 19 individuals, including noted playwright and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and historian Jon Meacham, both recognized for their impactful work.
In a touching moment, three medals were awarded posthumously. The late singer Selena Quintanilla and artist Ruth Asawa were honored with arts medals, while the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain received a humanities medal. “You are the masters of your craft,” Biden remarked, acknowledging how their artistry has enriched American society.
During his address, Biden took a moment to highlight the ambition of Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign, stating, “I know the power of the women in this room to get things done.” He emphasized that the accomplishments of the female honorees showcase that “a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some,” a sentiment that was met with a standing ovation from the audience.
The president emphasized the current climate in the arts and humanities, referring to it as a “very consequential time,” as he discussed the challenges faced by the sector: “extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, spreading misinformation.” His comments resonated with those in attendance, stressing the importance of preserving and promoting cultural dialogue.
The National Endowment for the Arts manages the arts medals, while the humanities medals come from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additionally, other notable recipients of the arts medals included actors Idina Menzel and Eva Longoria, producer Bruce Cohen, as well as musicians Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez and Herbert I. Ohta. Photographers Randy A. Batista and Clyde Butcher, along with artists Carrie Mae Weems, Alex Katz, and Mark Bradford, were also among those recognized.
The criteria for the arts medals are to honor those individuals or groups whose exceptional contributions have enhanced the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States. Meanwhile, the humanities medals acknowledge individuals or organizations that have enriched the nation’s understanding of human experiences, expanded engagement with history or literature, or improved access to cultural resources.
Further recipients of the humanities medals included former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo, actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton, cartoonist Roz Chast, and philanthropists Wallis Annenberg and Darren Walker. The awardees spanned various cultural institutions, educators, scholars, and artists like Juan Felipe Herrera, filmmaker Dawn Porter, and anthropologist Rosita Worl.
