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.

 

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2024 NEA National Heritage Fellowships Events:

This September in Washington, DC, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) held free events to celebrate ten extraordinary artists who shape America’s cultural heritage—the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows. You can now watch the on-demand videos of the public events webcasts. 

The NEA National Heritage Fellowships Awards Ceremony - September 18, 2024.

NEA National Heritage Fellowships Film Screening and Conversations - September 17, 2024.

Program booklet.

2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows

All National Heritage Fellows
Headshot of a man.
2024
Bril Barrett
Tap Dancer
A man poses before a painting of two young men.
2024
Fabian Debora
Chicano Muralist
A woman in dark glasses holding a guitar.
2024
Rosie Flores
Rockabilly and Country Musician
A man plying a fiddle.
2024
Trimble Gilbert (Gwich'in)
Gwich'in Fiddler
A man surrounded by carousel and carvings.
2024
Todd Goings
Carousel Carver and Restorationist
A woman in traditional dress.
2024
Susan Hudson (Navajo/Diné)
Quilter
Headshot of a woman.
2024
Pat Johnson
Community Activist and Organizer
Headshot of a woman.
2024
June Kuramoto
Koto Musician
A man standing in front of statuetes on a shelf.
2024
Sochietah Ung
Cambodian Costume Maker and Dancer
Three women singing from a stage.
2024
Zuni Olla Maidens
Traditional Zuni Dancers and Singers

Looking Back

In September 2023, NEA National Heritage Fellows from the 2020-23 classes joined together in a convening titled Gathering in Fellowship: The Legacy and Impact of NEA National Heritage Fellows. At the gathering, the fellows explored topics such as: 1) the people, support systems, and community processes that have been a part of their journey and ultimate success as artists, 2) the legacy and impact of receiving the award on both themselves as individuals and on their communities, 3) connections between artmaking and their lived environments, and 4) the role the NEA plays or can play in supporting their creative work. Read a summary of the fellows' conversations.

     2022 Film | 2021 Film |  2020 Film |  2019 Concert  
Photo Gallery

National Heritage Fellows Podcasts

All National Heritage Fellow Podcasts
Man playing a clarinete.
Revisiting Andy Statman
Klezmer Clarinetist, Mandolin Player, Composer, 2012 National Heritage Fellow
A man surrounded by carousel and carvings.
Todd Goings
Carousel Carver, Restorationist, and 2024 National Heritage Fellow
A man poses before a painting of two young men.
Fabian Debora
Chicano Muralist and 2024 National Heritage Fellow

Recent News

All National Heritage Fellow News
Image of Zakir Hussain and tabla drums
National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Ustad Zakir Hussain
An older woman with short white hair and kind eyes looks off to the side and smiles, as if recalling a beautiful story.
National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Ella Jenkins
An elder man with glasses sits playing a button accordion with microphones around him and a colorful backdrop
National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Dwight Lamb

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