Renowned filmmaker Spike Lee was one of 20 recipients to be awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts, presented by President Joe Biden on Oct. 21.
The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and art patrons by the federal government. It recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to the arts in the United States and for their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.
Lee, known for iconic works such as Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, joins a distinguished group of recipients including Steven Spielberg, Missy Elliott, and Queen Latifah. Over the last 4 decades, Lee’s storytelling has continuously shaped cultural narratives and elevated Black voices in cinema, earning him this high honor.
“The arts enrich our lives, helping us to ask questions, imagine new possibilities, and create community,” National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD said. “The NEA is pleased to join President Biden in congratulating the 2022 and 2023 National Medal of Arts recipients whose curiosity, creativity, hard work, and dedication have inspired and touched so many in our country and around the globe.”
“I Thank President Biden, Dr. Biden And The President’s Committee On The Arts And The Humanities For National Medal Of Arts Medal,” the iconic director wrote on Instagram. “Also Congratulations To The Other Gifted Recipients Of Their Medals Too. Special Thanks To Tonya.Satchel And Jackson For Their Love And Support Over The Years. Onwards And Upwards.”
During the medal presentation ceremony President Biden spoke about the importance of arts in helping to shape society.
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“The power of the arts and matters. It matters now more than ever. This is a very consequential time for the arts and the humanities of America,” Biden said per Deadline. “Extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, straight misinformation.” He told the recipients, “You make history. You combat lies with truth.”
There were 39 recipients of the medals at the event, as the White House combined the 2022 and 2023 ceremonies. The honorees already had received their medals by the time of the public ceremony and instead were introduced as they entered and stood as a group.
2022 National Medal of Arts recipients:
- Ruth Asawa (posthumous), artist
- Randy A. Batista, photographer
- Clyde Butcher, landscape photographer
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, museum and education center
- Melissa “Missy” Elliott, artist and producer
- Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez, musician
- Eva Longoria, actress, director, and philanthropist
- Idina Menzel, actress and singer
- Herbert I. Ohta, musician
- Bruce Sagan, arts leader
- Carrie Mae Weems, visual artist
2023 National Medal of Arts recipients:
- Mark Bradford, artist
- Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker
- Bruce Cohen, producer
- Alex Katz, artist
- Jo Carole Lauder, arts leader
- Spike Lee, filmmaker
- Queen Latifah, artist and actress
- Selena Quintanilla (posthumous), singer
- Steven Spielberg, filmmaker
