National Endowment for the Arts & National Council on the Arts 2001 National Medal of Arts recipient Judith Jamison, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance 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 United States 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 the creation 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 Saul Bellow, as itself enrich—other enduring Richard Wilbur, and Ralph traditions.” Ellison to visual artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Romare Bearden, and Roy Lichtenstein to musicians Dave Brubeck, Aaron Dana Gioia Copland, and Ray Charles, the Chairman map 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 White House 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) Pinchas Zukerman, contributions to the excellence, Frederica Von Stade, Czeslaw growth, support, and availability Milosz, Frank Stella, Philip of the arts in the United States.” Johnson, and Luis Valdez; (patrons) The Texaco Philanthropic Foundation, James Michener (considered a patron for the award), Philip Morris, Inc., The Cleveland 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 Ronald Reagan with 1987 National Medal of Arts recipient Ella Fitzgerald. 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 First Lady Hillary Rodham individuals and organizations Clinton with 1996 Medalist that have encouraged the arts in Edward Albee. 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 art 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 Los Angeles, California. 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 naturalization 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, Museum Director Phoenix, AZ Donald V. Cogman, Patron/Trustee Internet searches may also turn up Scottsdale, AZ good material. Ask your librarian Mary Costa, Opera Singer Knoxville, TN for other suggestions. Check the Katharine Cramer DeWitt, list of previous awardees to ensure Patron/Trustee that your nomination has not Cincinnati, OH Makoto Fujimura, Visual Artist already received a National Medal New York, NY of Arts. David H. Gelernter, Author/Critic/Educator What information must I submit for Woodbridge, CT Teresa Lozano Long, Patron/Trustee my nomination? Austin, TX Career highlights, not compre- James McBride, hensive biographies, are requested. Author/Musician/Composer 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 Dallas, TX Gerard Schwarz, Symphony Orchestra familiar to the reviewers. The Conductor purpose of your nomination is to Seattle, WA remind the reviewers that your Terry Teachout, Critic/Author New York, NY nominee should be considered. Dr. Karen Lias Wolff, Music Educator Ann Arbor, MI The information requested on the “For All Nominations” section is Ex-Officio Members, United States Congress 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 Ray Bradbury, author Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, modern Carlisle Floyd, opera composer dance company and school Frederick Hart, sculptor Rudolfo Anaya, writer Anthony Hecht, poet Johnny Cash, singer, songwriter John Ruthven, wildlife artist Kirk Douglas, actor, producer Vincent Scully, architectural historian and Helen Frankenthaler, painter educator Judith Jamison, artistic director, Twyla Tharp, contemporary dance choreographer, dancer choreographer Yo-Yo Ma, cellist Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Mike Nichols, director, producer philanthropic foundation 2000 2003 Maya Angelou, poet, writer Austin City Limits, PBS television Eddy Arnold, country singer program Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer, director Beverly Cleary, writer Benny Carter, jazz musician Rafe Esquith, arts educator Chuck Close, painter Suzanne Farrell, dancer, choreographer, Horton Foote, playwright, screenwriter company director, educator National Public Radio, Cultural Buddy Guy, blues musician Programming Division, broadcaster Ron Howard, actor, director, writer, Claes Oldenburg, sculptor producer Itzhak Perlman, violinist Mormon Tabernacle Choir, choral group Harold Prince, theater director, producer Leonard Slatkin, symphony orchestra Barbra Streisand, entertainer, filmmaker conductor Lewis Manilow, arts patron George Strait, country singer, songwriter Tommy Tune, dancer, actor, choreographer, director 1999 Aretha Franklin, singer Michael Graves, architect, designer 2002 Odetta, singer, music historian Florence Knoll Bassett, architect The Juilliard School, performing arts Trisha Brown, artistic director,