WASHINGTON, D.C.: The National Endowment for the Arts has announced the 11 recipients of the 2015 National Medal of the Arts, 3 of whom are honored for their contributions to the theatre field, including writer/director Ping Chong, actress Miriam Colón, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
The medal will be presented by President Barack Obama on Sept. 10, 2015 in an East Room ceremony at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend, and the event will be live streamed at WH.gov/Live.
In statement, NEA chairman Jane Chu said of the honorees, “These artists and organizations have broadened our horizons and enriched our lives. I join the president in congratulating them and celebrating what the arts do for America.”
Below are the citations for the three theatre artists, to be read by the president at the ceremony:
“Ping Chong for his contributions as a theatre director, choreographer, and video and installation artist. Mr. Chong’s innovative performances explore race, history, technology, and art to challenge our understanding of humanity in the modern world;
“Miriam Colón for her contributions as an actress. Ms. Colón has been a trailblazer in film, television, and theatre, and helped open doors for generations of Hispanic actors;
“The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for supporting creative expression across the country. With generosity and a bold commitment to artistic risk, this foundation has helped artists, musicians, dancers, and actors share their talents, enriching the cultural life of our nation. ”
The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. It is awarded by the president to individuals or groups deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.
