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First proposed by President Ronald Reagan in May 1983, the National Medal of Arts represents the nation's first official medal recognizing both artistic excellence and support of the arts in the United States.
Seven internationally known artists and five long-time arts patrons received the medal at
Unlike other arts awards, the National Medal of Arts:
- honors those in a wide variety of fields and artistic endeavors
- honors those who have encouraged the arts in America through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage
Some former winners:
Maya Angelou, poet and writer
Eddy Arnold, country singer
Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer and director
Benny Carter, jazz musician
Chuck Close, painter
Horton Foote, playwright and screenwriter
Lewis Manilow, arts patron
National Public Radio, cultural programming division
Claes Oldenburg, sculptor
Itzhak Perlman, violinist
Harold Prince, theater director and producer
Barbra Streisand, entertainer and filmmaker.
Last updated: June 16, 2004.
