The award is the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government, and is awarded by the President of the United States to 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."
President Joe Biden was on hand in the East Room to present the honor, which recognized the New Jersey rocker as “one of our greatest performers and storytellers, Bruce Springsteen’s music celebrates our triumphs, heals our wounds, and gives us hope, capturing the unyielding spirit of what it means to be American.”
Gladys Knight, Jose Felicano, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Vera Wang and Mindy Kaling were among the honorees recognized for their contributions to American culture.
“The National Medal of Arts recipients have helped to define and enrich our nation’s cultural legacy through their life long passionate commitment,” said National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are a better nation because of their contributions. Their work helps us see the world in different ways. It inspires us to reach our full potential and recognize our common humanity. I join the President in congratulating and thanking them.”
Springsteen is currently playing shows across North America with the E Street Band; they will wrap up the current leg of their 2023 tour in Newark, NJ on April 14 before heading to Europe at the end of the month to begin an extended spring/summer series of concerts.
Get your copy of Bruce’s latest album, “Only The Strong Survive”, here.
See also:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reschedule multiple shows due to illness
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band postpone multiple shows due to illness
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band expand North American tour
Rock News Story Of The Year No. 10: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Search Bruce Springsteen at hennemusic
