National Medal of Arts

National Medal of Arts

The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. It is the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government.

History

The National Medal of Arts was established by the United States Congress in 1984. The award is managed by the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent agency of the federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence.

Criteria

The National Medal of Arts is awarded 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.

Selection Process

The selection process for the National Medal of Arts involves nominations from the public, which are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts. The council then makes recommendations to the President of the United States, who selects the recipients.

Notable Recipients

Over the years, the National Medal of Arts has been awarded to a diverse group of individuals and organizations, including:

• Maya Angelou
• Tony Bennett
• George Balanchine
• Bob Dylan
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Frank Gehry
• Rita Moreno
• Barbra Streisand

External Links

• Official website of the National Medal of Arts

References

• About the National Medal of Arts

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  National Medal of Arts

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  Alfonso XII of Spain

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  2005 National Medal of Arts winners