National Medal of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Medal of Arts |
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| Presented by | President of the United States & National Endowment for the Arts |
| Country | United States |
The National Medal of Arts is a special award in the United States. It was created by the United States Congress in 1984. This medal honors artists and people who support the arts. It is the highest honor the U.S. government gives to artists and those who help the arts grow.
People are suggested for this award by the National Council on the Arts. This group advises the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). They send their ideas to the White House. Then, the President of the United States chooses who receives the medal. A sculptor named Robert Graham designed the medal for the NEA. Before this official medal, a similar honor was given to artists and supporters in 1983.
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Honoring Amazing Artists and Supporters
The National Medal of Arts was first given out in 1985. The award ceremonies for 2021 and 2022 were not held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the people who won in 2021 received their awards in 2023.
Many talented people have received this medal over the years. They come from all kinds of art forms.
Early Winners (1980s)
Some of the first people to receive the medal in the 1980s were Martha Graham, a famous dancer and choreographer, and Ralph Ellison, a celebrated writer. Georgia O'Keeffe, a well-known painter, also received this honor. Other early winners included actors like Jose Ferrer and musicians like Leontyne Price. People who supported the arts, like Dorothy Buffum Chandler, were also recognized.
Continuing the Tradition (1990s)
In the 1990s, the medal continued to honor a wide range of artists. B. B. King, a legendary blues musician, received an award. So did Jessica Tandy, a respected actress, and Jasper Johns, a famous painter. Ray Charles, a beloved singer and musician, was also honored. The awards recognized people from music, theater, dance, and visual arts.
New Millennium, New Stars (2000s)
As the new century began, more incredible artists were celebrated. Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and writer, received the medal. Barbra Streisand, famous for her acting and singing, was also honored. Other winners included Johnny Cash, a country music icon, and George Lucas, the film director who created Star Wars. Dolly Parton, a beloved singer and songwriter, also received the medal.
Modern Masters (2010s)
The 2010s saw more diverse artists and supporters recognized. Meryl Streep, a highly acclaimed actress, and James Taylor, a popular singer-songwriter, were among the recipients. Stephen King, a best-selling author, and George Lucas, the film director, also received medals. The awards continued to celebrate people who made a big difference in American arts.
Recent Honorees (2020s)
In recent years, the National Medal of Arts has honored even more stars. In 2021, Bruce Springsteen, a famous musician, and Gladys Knight, a legendary singer, were recognized. Actresses like Mindy Kaling and Julia Louis-Dreyfus also received medals. In 2023, film directors Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg were honored, along with musician and actress Queen Latifah. These awards show how many different kinds of artists contribute to American culture.
Why Some People Said No
Sometimes, people choose not to accept an award. A few artists have turned down the National Medal of Arts for different reasons.
- In 1989, the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein did not accept his award. He reportedly disagreed with how the government was supporting the arts.
- In 1992, the composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim also refused the medal. He felt that the NEA was facing too much political disagreement and was not fully supporting artistic freedom.
- In 1997, the poet Adrienne Rich declined her award. She did this to protest what she saw as a disconnect between art and government policies at the time.
See also
- National Humanities Medal
- National Medal of Science
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation
