US President Joe Biden on Monday celebrated some of the finest contributors to American culture, awarding the prestigious National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals to 39 recipients in a ceremony at the White House. Among the honorees were prominent filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee and Ken Burns, as well as musical icons Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah, all of whom received National Medals of Arts.
Three medals were awarded posthumously. The late Selena Quintanilla and artist Ruth Asawa were honoured with arts medals, while chef-author Anthony Bourdain was recognised with a humanities medal for his lasting impact on culture and storytelling.
During his remarks, President Biden reflected on the significance of the arts and humanities, saying, “Above all, you are the masters of your craft that have made us a better America with all of you have done.”
“I know the power of the women in this room to get things done,” Biden said, emphasising the importance of female leadership and the example set by the women being honoured. He added, “proving a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some, that includes being president of the United States of America,” which earned a standing ovation from the audience.
Biden also touched on the challenges facing the arts and humanities today, noting that it is a “very consequential time” as some forces are attempting to “ban books, erase history and spread misinformation.”
The National Endowment for the Arts is responsible for managing the arts medals, while the National Endowment for the Humanities handles the humanities medals. These honours are given to individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape of the United States, informs ABC News.
In addition to the well-known names, actors Idina Menzel and Eva Longoria, producer Bruce Cohen and musicians Leonardo Flaco Jimenez and Herbert I. Ohta were among those awarded for their contributions to the arts. Other honorees included photographers Randy A. Batista and Clyde Butcher, artists Carrie Mae Weems, Alex Katz, and Mark Bradford, as well as arts leaders Jo Carole Lauder and Bruce Sagan. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum also received an arts medal.
The humanities medals recognise individuals and organisations whose work has expanded the public’s understanding of the human experience. Among the recipients were former US poet laureate Joy Harjo, actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton, and cartoonist Roz Chast. Philanthropists Wallis Annenberg and Darren Walker were also acknowledged for their efforts to support cultural resources in the U.S.
Other humanities medalists included cultural institutions such as the Mellon Foundation and Appalshop, as well as educators Robin Harris, Robert Martin, and Ruth J. Simmons. Scholars Pauline Yu, Nicolas Kanellos, and Robin Wall Kimmerer were honoured, alongside writer Juan Felipe Herrera, filmmaker Dawn Porter, and anthropologist Rosita Worl.
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