Several medals laid out on a table.

National Heritage Fellowships

The NEA National Heritage Fellowships is the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Each year since 1982, the program recognizes recipients' artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage. See below for information on how to submit a nomination.

♦♦♦♦

 

Collage of the nine 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellows

R.L. Boyce Photo credit Rustin Gudim; Ed Eugene Carriere Photo by Dale Croes; Michael A. Cummings Photo courtesy of artist; Joe DeLeon “Little Joe” Hernández Photo by Mark Del Castillo; Roen Hufford Photo credit credit Lynn Martin Graton; Elizabeth James-Perry Photo courtesy of Elizabeth James-Perry; Wu Man Photo by David Bazemore; Nick Spitzer Photo by Rusty Costanza, courtesy of Tulane University; Luis Tapia Photo © Jack Parsons Courtesy of Luis Tapia 

“The 2023 National Heritage Fellows exemplify what it means to live an artful life,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “Their rich and diverse art forms connect us to the past, strengthen our communities today, and give hope to future generations in ways that only the arts can. Our nation is strengthened through their meaningful practices, expressions, and preservation of traditional artistry.”

Read the full announcement »

 

2023 NEA National Heritage Fellows

All National Heritage Fellows
A man holding a guitar.
2023

R.L. Boyce

Hill Country Blues Musician
A man standing by the water with a basket strapped to his head.
2023

Ed Eugene Carriere (Suquamish)

Suquamish Basketmaker
Headshot of a man.
2023

Michael A. Cummings

African American Quilter
Headshot of a man.
2023

Joe DeLeon “Little Joe” Hernández

Tejano Music Performer
A woman poses next to a wall hanging.
2023

Roen Hufford

Kapa Maker
A woman poses for the camera.
2023

Elizabeth James-Perry (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Aquinnah)

Wampum & Fiber Artist
A woman playing a large string instyrument.
2023

Wu Man

Pipa Player
Headshot of a m,an.
2023

Nick Spitzer

Folklife Presenter, Educator, and Radio Producer
A man poses infront of a doorway crowned with a painted sculpture.
2023

Luis Tapia

Sculptor, Hispano Woodcarving Tradition

Roots of American Culture: A Cross-Country Visit with Living Treasures of the Folk and Traditional Arts celebrates the 2022 NEA National Heritage Fellowship honorees.

An audio-described option is also available »

2021 Film |  2020 Film |  2019 Concert  |  Photo Gallery

National Heritage Fellows Podcasts

All National Heritage Fellow Podcasts
A woman poses in front of a weaving loom.

TahNibaa Naataanii

Navajo/Diné Textile Artist and Weaver and 2022 National Heritage Fellow
Headshot of a woman.

Revisiting Theresa Secord

Penobscot Nation Ash/Sweetgrass Basketmaker and 2016 National Heritage Fellow
Headshot of a man.

C. Brian Williams

Step Artist and Producer and 2022 National Heritage Fellow

Recent News

All National Heritage Fellow News
Two older women-one wearing a blue cape and one wearing a red cape-sing on stage with a mariachi band in the background

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Beatriz Llamas  

Man with white hair holding a poster sitting on a stool in a music shop with records and books.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Chris Strachwitz

A Japanese woman holding a fan poses for a photo in front of a large white home

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Fujima Kansuma  

Nominate a National Heritage Fellow!

The National Endowment for the Arts encourages nominations of master folk and traditional artists to recognize artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.
Make a Nomination