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Home , Bella Lewitzky, Bess Lomax Hawes, Betty Carter, Beverly Sills, Billy Taylor, Boys Choir of Harlem

National Endowment for the Arts & National Council on the Arts

2001 recipient , artistic director of the Foundation (which also received a National Medal of Arts in 2001), surrounded by dance students who performed at the Medals ceremony. Photo by Neshan Naltchayan What is the National Medal of Arts?

The National Medal of Arts is the We at the Arts highest award given to artists and Endowment strive arts patrons by the to support artistic Photo by Vance Jacobs government. These individuals, excellence in the United States, through their creativity, inspiration, and the National Medal of Arts and hard work, have significantly recipients demonstrate that the arts enriched the cultural life of are continuing to thrive. Dynamic, our nation. diverse, and original, the arts are an essential part of our American When the award program began identity and civilization. As in 1984, it was envisioned that President Reagan stated at the the National Medal of Arts would 1987 ceremony, “The arts and honor the extraordinary humanities teach us who we are accomplishments of those engaged and what we can be. They lie at in and production the very core of the culture of of the arts in the United States. which we are a part, and they Looking at the list of those provide the foundation from which honored over the past 20 years, we may reach out to other cultures one can see the breadth of artistic so that the great heritage that is endeavors in this country. From ours may be enriched by—as well writers such as , as itself enrich—other enduring , and Ralph traditions.” Ellison to visual artists such as O’Keeffe, , and to musicians , Aaron Copland, and Charles, the Chairman of American artistic National Endowment for the Arts achievement is clearly drawn. National Council on the Arts Brief History of the National Medal of Arts

In 1983, prior to the On May 31, 1984, President official establishment of Reagan signed legislation the National Medal of creating the National Medal of Arts, President Ronald Arts, authorizing the President to Reagan presented a medal to the award up to 12 medals a year following artists and patrons at a to “individuals or groups who in luncheon arranged the President’s judgment are by the President’s Committee on deserving of special recognition the Arts and the Humanities: by reason of their outstanding (artists) , contributions to the excellence, , Czeslaw growth, support, and availability Milosz, , Philip of the arts in the United States.” Johnson, and ; (patrons) The Philanthropic Foundation, James Michener (considered a patron for the award), Philip Morris, Inc., The Foundation, Elma Lewis, and The Dayton Hudson Foundation. This was the beginning step in creating a Presidential award for those who significantly contributed to the cultural life of our nation.

President with 1987 National Medal of Arts recipient . White House photo by Mary Anne Fackelman-Miner

The National Council on the Arts, the advisory board for the National Endowment for the Arts, is responsible for recommending candidates for the medal to the President. Unlike other arts awards, the National Medal of Arts is not limited to a single field or area of artistic endeavor. It is President William J. Clinton and designed to honor exemplary Hillary Rodham individuals and organizations Clinton with 1996 Medalist that have encouraged the arts in . America and offered inspiration to White House photo by Sharon Farmer others through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage. For 20 years, the recipients of the National Medal of Arts have The National Medal of Arts touched every aspect of artistic life was designed by internationally in the United States, from the fine renowned sculptor Robert Graham, arts to popular culture. The award whose design was chosen by a has honored not only those whose special committee of the National vision and creativity provided the Council on the Arts from among American public with their 31 designs submitted in a national work, but also those whose support competition. Mr. Graham is known of the arts has been crucial to its for creating the Gateway for the development. XXIII Olympiad in , .

How to Submit Nominations for the National Medal of Arts

Annually, the National Frequently Asked Questions: Endowment for the Arts initiates Who is eligible to receive the the selection process for the National Medal of Arts? National Medal of Arts by Nominees must be living U.S. soliciting nominations from the citizens or permanent residents public. The National Council on who have filed for the Arts reviews the nominations and who are not ineligible to and draws up a list of become U.S. citizens. Nominated recommendations that it submits organizations must be established to the President. Typically, the or incorporated in the United announcement of the year's States. awardees is made by the White House in the fall. Can I submit more than one nomination? The period of nomination for the Yes, but you must complete National Medal of Arts is January separate nomination forms for each through April 11. To submit a nominee. nomination, please complete a Where do I find detailed information nomination form, which includes to submit about my nominee? a one-page biography of the If you do not personally know the nominee’s accomplishments. nominee (or wish to keep your Because of difficulties with the nomination a surprise), you may receipt of mail, nominations are find information at your local only accepted online at the Arts library in the reference section. Endowment’s Web site: Who’s Who in America and other www.arts.gov. More information biographic reference books are on the nomination process can be often good sources of information. found on the Web site as well.

National Council on the Arts Members as of January 2005: Dana Gioia, Chairman

James K. Ballinger, Director Phoenix, AZ Donald V. Cogman, Patron/Trustee Internet searches may also turn up Scottsdale, AZ good material. Ask your librarian Mary Costa, Singer Knoxville, TN for other suggestions. Check the Katharine Cramer DeWitt, list of previous awardees to ensure Patron/Trustee that your nomination has not , OH Makoto Fujimura, Visual Artist already received a National Medal , NY of Arts. David H. Gelernter, Author/Critic/Educator What information must I submit for Woodbridge, CT , Patron/Trustee my nomination? Austin, TX Career highlights, not compre- James McBride, hensive biographies, are requested. Author/Musician/ Carversville, PA Provide the source of the Maribeth Walton McGinley, information if possible. This award Art Director/Designer Glendale,CA is bestowed only to U.S. citizens Jerry Pinkney, Artist/Illustrator who have made exceptional Croton-on-Hudson, NY contributions to the arts so the Deedie Potter Rose, Patron/Trustee most competitive nominees will be , TX , Orchestra familiar to the reviewers. The Conductor purpose of your nomination is to , WA remind the reviewers that your , Critic/Author New York, NY nominee should be considered. Dr. Karen Lias Wolff, Educator Ann Arbor, MI The information requested on the “For All Nominations” section is Ex-Officio Members, the most important; any critical SENATE biographical material must be Robert Bennett (R-UT) provided here. Brochures, books, or Mike DeWine (R-OH) Harry Reid (D-NV) music samples will not be accepted. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Betty McCollum (D-MN) Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) one seat vacant

National Medal of Arts Recipients 1985-2004

2004 2001 , author Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, modern , opera composer dance company and school Frederick Hart, sculptor , writer , poet , singer, songwriter John Ruthven, wildlife artist , , producer , architectural historian and , painter educator Judith Jamison, artistic director, , choreographer, dancer choreographer Yo-Yo Ma, cellist Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, , director, producer philanthropic foundation 2000 2003 , poet, writer , PBS television , country singer program , dancer, director , writer , musician , arts educator , painter , dancer, choreographer, , playwright, screenwriter company director, educator National Public Radio, Cultural , musician Programming Division, broadcaster , actor, director, writer, , sculptor producer , violinist Mormon Tabernacle , choral group Harold , theater director, producer , symphony orchestra , entertainer, filmmaker conductor , arts patron , country singer, songwriter , dancer, actor, choreographer, director 1999 , singer , , designer 2002 , singer, music historian Florence Bassett, architect The , , artistic director, school choreographer, dancer , producer, writer, director, , museum director advocate , actress, drama teacher Rosetta LeNoire, actress, producer , architect , arts administrator , artist, illustrator , singer , composer, , sculptor performer , ballerina , theater designer , arts patron William “Smokey” Robinson, songwriter, musician

1998 Jacques d’Amboise, dancer, choreographer, educator Antoine “Fats” Domino, rock ‘n’ roll , singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, folk singer, songwriter , architect President George W. Bush Barbara Handman, arts advocate and Mrs. with , visual artist 2004 Medalist Ray Bradbury , actor, producer in the Oval Office. , opera singer White House photo by Susan Sterner , writer Steppenwolf Theatre Company, arts organization , actress, dancer , actor, director, producer , corporate , writer, illustrator, arts patron designer , composer, lyricist Boys Choir of , performing arts 1997 youth group Bourgeois, sculptor Vera List, arts patron , jazz vocalist Daniel Urban Kiley, landscape architect , actor 1995 , opera conductor, pianist , opera singer , Latin percussionist, musician , poet , actor and , , dancer, choreographer , composer , bluegrass guitarist, vocalist , architect MacDowell Colony, artist colony , entertainer , arts patron Roy Lichtenstein, painter, sculptor , dancer, choreographer William S. Monroe, bluegrass musician 1996 Urban Gateways, arts education Edward Albee, playwright organization , opera conductor B. Gerald and , arts patrons Harry Callahan, photographer , theater director, founder Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero, composer, musician , musician, bandleader , dancer, choreographer, teacher

National Medal of Arts Recipients 1985-2004

Earl Scruggs, player 1994 , orchestra conductor, choral , singer, actor director Dave Brubeck, pianist, bandleader, , jazz pianist composer and , , singer Dorothy DeLay, teacher , producer, director , actress AT&T, corporate arts patron , dance choreographer Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund, , dancer, singer, actor foundation arts patron , composer, lyricist, vocalist, banjo player , artist, teacher Richard Wilbur, poet, teacher, critic, 1991 literary translator Maurice , , Young Audiences, arts presenter conductor , arts patron , country singer, bandleader , architect J. Carter Brown, museum director Charles “Honi” Coles, tap dancer 1993 John O. Crosby, opera director, conductor, Cabell “Cab” Calloway, singer, bandleader administrator , singer, musician , painter , folklorist Hart, actress, singer, arts , poet, educator administrator, dancer , baritone , choreographer, , playwright anthropologist , artist , violinist , theatrical director R. Philip Hanes, Jr., arts patron , writer Texaco Inc., corporate arts patron Paul Taylor, dancer, choreographer , movie director, writer, producer Walter and , arts 1990 patrons George Francis Abbott, actor, playwright, producer, director , actor, director 1992 , actress , choreographer, , opera singer dance company director , actor , painter, sculptor , sculptor , painter , Grand Ole Opry performer Riley “B.B.” King, blues musician, singer , television producer, Ian McHarg, landscape architect Museum of Broadcasting founding , opera singer, director director , arts patron Harris & Carroll Sterling Masterson, 1987 arts patrons Southeastern Bell Corporation, corporate Romare Bearden, painter arts patron Ella Fitzgerald, singer , writer, scholar , dancer, choreographer , sculptor 1989 , composer Leopold Adler, preservationist, civic leader , writer, poet , dancer, J. W. Fisher, arts patron choreographer Dr. , arts patron , photographer Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, arts patrons Martin Friedman, museum director John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, jazz trumpeter 1986 Walker Kirtland Hancock, sculptor , pianist , opera singer Czelaw Milosz, writer , film director , painter , composer , writer , painter Dayton Hudson Corporation, corporate , choreographer arts patron , actress, author , arts patron , folklorist, scholar , philosopher, literary critic , writer 1988 , arts patron Saul Bellow, writer Exxon Corporation, corporate arts patron Sydney J. Freedberg, art historian, curator Seymour H. Knox, arts patron , actress , photographer, film director I.M. Pei, architect 1985 , dancer, choreographer , pianist , Jr., composer Roger L. Stevens, arts administrator , writer , composer, music critic Jose Ferrer, actor (Mrs. Vincent) , arts patron Graham, dancer, choreographer Francis Goelet, music patron , sculptress Obert C. Tanner, arts patron Georgia O’Keeffe, painter , , arts patron , Inc., corporate arts patron , arts patron , arts patron , arts patron

NOTE: Recipients are listed alphabetically, artists first and then arts patrons. A Great Nation Deserves Great Art.

National Medal of Arts recipient Yo-Yo Ma performing with Dr. at the 2001 Medals ceremony. Photo by Neshan Naltchayan