National Medal of Arts Nominations 2024: Invitation from the Chair

Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts invites nominations from the public for the National Medal of Arts, 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. Nominations are considered by the National Council on the Arts and then forwarded to the White House for action by the President.

The first class, in 1984, included luminaries such as composer Elliot Carter, author Ralph Ellison, actor José Ferrer, choreographer and dancer Martha Graham, visual artist Georgia O'Keeffe, and opera singer Leontyne Price, as well as arts patrons Paul Mellon and Alice Tully.

In the intervening years, the award has continued to honor those who keep the arts thriving in communities throughout the country. Their creative expressions reach people of all backgrounds, religious faiths, and income status, in all parts of this country, helping us all to live artful lives.

Through the work of these recipients we are better able to experience the power of the arts. Because of them our lives are richer, our communities are more vibrant and our diversity is expressed and celebrated. These are the artists and arts leaders that we recognize with the National Medal of Arts.

We at the National Endowment for the Arts hope you will nominate an artist, arts organization, or arts patron that you think is worthy of this great honor using the online nomination form.

If you need further information, please contact medals@arts.gov.

Thank you for your participation.

Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD
Chair, National Endowment for the Arts