Carrie Mae Weems, Alex Katz, and Mark Bradford Recognized as National Medal of Arts Recipients

### National Medals of Arts and Humanities Recipients for 2022 and 2023: Honoring Creative and Cultural Excellence

Each year, the **National Endowment for the Arts** and the **National Endowment for the Humanities**—two of the most prominent artistic and cultural bodies in the United States—recognize individuals and institutions that have made extraordinary contributions to arts and humanities. In formal ceremonies at the White House, President Joseph Biden presented the **2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts** and **National Humanities Medals** to 39 distinguished recipients, out of which some were honored posthumously.

#### Why These Awards Matter
The **National Medals of Arts** are regarded as the highest honor in the United States for artists, patrons, and organizations. This accolade, first introduced in 1984, celebrates those whose creative endeavors have enriched the cultural landscape. Similarly, the **National Humanities Medals**, established in 1997, spotlight the achievements of writers, educators, historians, and thought leaders whose work advances the comprehension and appreciation of the humanities.

Maria Rosario Jackson, the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, summarized the essence of these awards:
“The arts enrich our lives, helping us to ask questions, imagine new possibilities, and create community.”

### Highlights of the 2022 and 2023 Ceremony
The awards recognize multifaceted contributions, ranging from visual arts to documentary filmmaking, poetry, music, and philanthropy. Below, we examine some of the key figures and institutions among the recipients over the two years.

#### 2022 National Medal of Arts Recipients
Among the 2022 list are major figures from the fields of visual art, photography, music, and performance:

– **Ruth Asawa (posthumous)** – Asawa’s wire sculptures and public art pieces have become culturally iconic, with her works often rooted in personal narratives and community engagement.
– **Carrie Mae Weems** – A socially engaged artist and photographer, Weems’ works often touch on race, gender, and identity issues, making her one of the most influential contemporary visual artists.
– **Melissa “Missy” Elliott** – A pioneering figure in music and production, Missy Elliott has been an artistic innovator and a trailblazer for women in the male-dominated rap and hip-hop industry.
– **Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum** – Recognized for preserving the heritage and history of American country music, this museum has enhanced musical education and outreach.

Several other recipients include noted names in photography, landscape art, philanthropy, and plenty who have broken boundaries in their respective art forms.

#### 2023 National Medal of Arts Recipients
The 2023 awardees continue in this vein of excellence, with distinguished names across different artistic disciplines:

– **Mark Bradford** – An American artist whose abstract paintings often draw connections between urban development and marginalized communities, Bradford is known for his large-scale expressionist works.
– **Alex Katz** – A renowned figure in American painting, Katz’s reductive style—featuring flat colors and bold images—has been highly influential for over six decades.
– **Queen Latifah** – The iconic actress, singer, and producer has reshaped the landscape of entertainment and stands as a symbol of artistic versatility.
– **Spike Lee** – A filmmaker who revolutionized American cinema with subject matter concerning race, urban culture, and injustice, Lee continues to be one of the most consistent voices in contemporary film.

Other notable awardees included **Ken Burns** for his documentary filmmaking, and **Selena Quintanilla** (posthumous), the legendary Tejano singer whose music transcended cultural barriers.

#### 2022 National Humanities Medalists
This year’s humanities medalists are a dynamic group important to American intellectual and cultural life. Some highlights include:

– **Robin Wall Kimmerer** – A **Potawatomi Nation** botanist, scholar, and author, Kimmerer’s work, including her seminal book *Braiding Sweetgrass*, intertwines Indigenous knowledge with scientific research.
– **Jon Meacham** – The popular historian and presidential biographer was recognized for his extensive work on American history and politics, which have reshaped public understanding of leadership, democracy, and culture.
– **Pauline Yu** – A prominent scholar in Chinese literature, Yu’s contributions have opened up new perspectives on how we understand East Asian literary traditions.

#### 2023 National Humanities Medalists
The 2023 medalists included a mixture of writers, filmmakers, social advocates, and cultural scholars:

– **LeVar Burton** – Beloved for his contributions to literacy access via the PBS television show *Reading Rainbow* and his performances in film and television, Burton has had a profound impact on generations of children and readers.
– **Anthony Bourdain (posthumous)** – The celebrated chef, writer, and television host brought global cuisines and cultures to