:: National Medal of Arts
Established by Congress in 1984, the award honors individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. No more than 12 medals may be given in any one year.
The Selection Process
Recipients of the National Medal of Arts are selected by the President of the United States. Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) solicits nominations for the award from leaders in the arts and from the general public. The nominations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts, a committee that is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The National Council's list of nominees is forwarded to the President, and this list will receive consideration along with candidates of the President's own choosing.
The Medal
The National Medal of Arts was designed by internationally-renowned sculptor Robert Graham, who is known for creating the Gateway for the XXIII Olympiad in Los Angeles for the 1984 Summer Games.
Recipients
Awards given to date: 246
Individuals: 225
Organizations: 21
The 2006 National Medal of Arts Recipients
Interlochen Center for the Arts
William Bolcom, classical composer
Cyd Charisse, dancer
Roy R. DeCarava, photographer
Wilhelmina Holladay, arts patron
Erich Kunzel, conductor, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, jazz ensemble
Gregory Rabassa, literary translator
Viktor Schreckengost, industrial designer/sculptor
Dr. Ralph Stanley, bluegrass musician
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Inside the oval office
When Jeffrey Kimpton left the Interlochen campus on the afternoon of November 7, very few people knew where he was going. He quietly slipped back to Norpines to collect his bags and departed in an Interlochen vehicle. It was an incredibly low-key departure for someone headed to pick up the nation's highest honor in the arts. Interlochen's president was traveling to the White House's Oval Office to accept the National Medal of Arts from the President of the United States.
"The most difficult part of this whole process was keeping it a secret," said Kimpton, who learned in October of Interlochen's upcoming honor. But the White House had insisted that no one could divulge information about the award until President Bush himself made the announcement. "Interlochen was going to receive one of the most significant honors in the arts," noted Kimpton, "and I had to wait for a month before I could talk about it. That was difficult!"
The selection process for the National Medal of Arts begins with an extensive nomination process and concludes when the President makes his selections. "It is a special honor because our peers in the arts community brought us to the attention of the President," said Kimpton. "And the humbling part is that this award came to Interlochen not just because of the great work being created on our campus right now, but through the efforts and accomplishments of everyone who has been a part of Interlochen before us."
Immediately after the ceremony, Interlochen took the Medal on the road to introduce it to Interlochen's extended family. The first event at which the Medal appeared was held in Washington D.C. on the same day it had been awarded. Over the next month Kimpton carried the Medal to New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. "This award was earned by the entire Interlochen community, so of course they should share in the celebration," said Kimpton.
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