President Donald J. Trump was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities National

On January 13, 2021, President Donald J. Trump awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities to the following individuals and organizations:

National Medal of Arts:

Toby Keith To make extraordinary contributions to American music. With his humble beginnings in the Oklahoma oil fields, Toby Keith has become one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation.

Nick Ute For his decades of contributions to wartime photojournalism. Through his lens, Ut captures moments in time that remind us of the horror of the conflict. His most famous picture, “War Terror,” is a lasting reminder of the past and an inspiration for a peaceful future.

Ricky Skaggs For his contributions to the American music industry. A creator of the mandolin and violin, Ricky Skaggs created and produced bluegrass music that preserves the musical legacy of the most talented artist of his generation.

“Rusty” Earl Powell III For his dedicated work preserving, purchasing and expanding the world’s largest galleries as the longest-serving director of the National Gallery of Art.

Mary Costa For her exceptional talent, inspiration and contribution to the arts of opera. Her career includes performances in 38 operatic roles.

National Humanities Medal:

Kay Coles James For her intellectual leadership, dedication to our constitutional principles, and her firm commitment to providing opportunities for all.

Hey James Lighthizer For decades, he has protected thousands of acres of Civil War battlefields for future generations. As a government official and then as head of the Civil War Preservation Fund, James Lighthizer is completely dedicated to preserving priceless historical sites so that all Americans can visit, learn, and pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives on that Holy Land.

National World War II Museum For her dedication to breathe life into the story of America’s greatest generation and our wonderful victory over the forces of evil. The National WWII Museum has impressed millions of Americans with its impressive exhibits and colossal collections.

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award awarded to artists and patrons of the arts by the United States government. The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened the participation of our citizens in history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.