Biden Awards 2022-2023 Arts and Humanities Medals

President Joe Biden awarded the National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals to 39 recipients in a ceremony held at the White House, celebrating significant contributions to American culture. Notable honorees included filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Ken Burns, and musical icons Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah, while playwright Aaron Sorkin and historian Jon Meacham were recognized in the humanities category. Posthumous awards were given to singer Selena Quintanilla, artist Ruth Asawa, and chef-author Anthony Bourdain. During the ceremony, Biden emphasized the critical role of arts and humanities in combating misinformation and erasing history, while also supporting Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential bid. The awards, managed by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, honor those who have notably enriched the U.S. cultural landscape. The event also highlighted female empowerment and leadership in the arts, with Biden reiterating that women can achieve anything, including becoming president.