President Bush Announces 2003 Medal of Arts Recipients

November 12, 2003

		Contact: Victoria Hutter 202-682-5570

Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush today announced the recipients of the 2003 National Medal of Arts. Ten medals will be presented by the President and First Lady Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony at the White House this afternoon. The National Endowment for the Arts notified the artists of their selection to receive a National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

"These ten remarkable individuals represent decades of significant artistic achievements." said Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. "Whether they embodied the grace and drama of great choreography, fired the imaginations of children, created unforgettable movies, or moved us with the passion of many voices, these inspiring people and institutions have made special contributions to the richness of our nation's cultural life."

The 2003 Medal of Arts Recipients

Austin City Limits, PBS television program, Austin, TX
Beverly Cleary, children's book author, Carmel, CA
Rafe Esquith, arts educator, Los Angeles, CA
Suzanne Farrell, dancer/company director/educator, Morristown, NJ
Buddy Guy, blues musician, Orland Park, IL
Ron Howard, actor/director/writer/producer, Greenwich, CT
Mormon Tabernacle Choir, choral group, Salt Lake City, UT
Leonard Slatkin, symphony orchestra conductor, Washington, D.C.
George Strait, country singer, San Antonio, TX
Tommy Tune, dancer/actor/choreographer/director, New York, NY

The Medal of Arts, established by Congress in 1984, is awarded by the President to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the creation, growth and support of the arts in the United States. Each year, the Endowment seeks nominations from individuals and organizations across the country. The National Council on the Arts, the Endowment's Presidentially appointed advisory body, reviews the nominations and provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients.

The National Endowment for the Arts gratefully acknowledges The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for its support of the 2003 National Medal of Arts.

The White House ceremony on November 12 is closed to the media. High resolution photos of the medalists are available upon request. For more information, contact the National Endowment for the Arts Communications Office at 202-682-5570.

For a complete list of past Medal of Arts recipients, visit http://www.arts.gov/honors/medals/medalists_year.html.

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National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
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Washington, DC 20506