Message From the Chairman

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. These individuals, through their creativity, inspiration, and hard work, have significantly enriched the cultural life of our nation.

When the award program began in 1984, it was envisioned that the National Medal of Arts would honor the extraordinary accomplishments of those engaged in the creation and production of the arts in the United States. Looking at the list of those honored over the past 26 years, one can see the breadth of artistic endeavors in this country. From writers such as Saul Bellow, Richard Wilbur, and Ralph Ellison to visual artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Romare Bearden, and Roy Lichtenstein to musicians Dave Brubeck, Aaron Copland, and Ray Charles, the map of American artistic achievement is clearly drawn.

We at the Arts Endowment strive to support artistic excellence in the United States, and the National Medal of Arts recipients demonstrate that the arts are continuing to thrive. Dynamic, diverse, and original, the arts are an essential part of our American identity and civilization. As President Reagan stated at the 1987 ceremony, "The arts and humanities teach us who we are and what we can be. They lie at the very core of the culture of which we are a part, and they provide the foundation from which we may reach out to other cultures so that the great heritage that is ours may be enriched by - as well as itself enrich - other enduring traditions."

If you need further information, please contact the Arts Endowment's Office of the Chief of Staff at 202.682.5434.

Thank you for your participation.

Rocco Landesman
Chairman
National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506