Bruce Springsteen among those to be honoured with US National Medal of Arts
Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Vera Wang, and Mindy Kaling are among the famous faces set to receive top federal honours for their contributions to the arts.
All four are named as recipients of the 2021 National Medals of Arts, due to be presented by US president Joe Biden at a ceremony on Tuesday.
The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and art patrons by the federal government.
It is awarded 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 US.
Tuesday’s ceremony is due to run in conjunction with the presentation of the 2021 National Humanities Medals.
Among the 12 recipients of the humanities medals is Sir Elton John who was described by the White House as “an enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage”.
“(Sir Elton) found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma, and advance the simple truth that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” an online profile read.
Sir Elton previously received his medal during a White House event in September 2022, at which he performed.
The ceremony, which Springsteen, Louis-Dreyfus, Kaling and Wang are expected to attend, will take place at 4.30pm local time in the East Room of the presidential residence.
Springsteen was described by the White House as one of America’s “greatest performers and storytellers” whose music captures “the unyielding spirit of what it means to be American”.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was hailed as “one of the most decorated comedic actors of our time” who had “blazed a trail for women in comedy and across American life”.
Kaling was praised for her work across film and television which “inspires and delights”, while Wang was noted as having made “beauty and style accessible to all”.
