Congratulations to Audra McDonald and Philip Glass, who are among the this year's National Medal of Arts honorees. President Barack Obama will present the 2015 National Medals of Arts in conjunction with the National Humanities Medals on Thursday, September 22, 2016, in the morning in an East Room ceremony at the White House. Fellow 2015 honorees include Mel Brooks, Sandra Cisneros, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Morgan Freeman, Berry Gordy, Santiago Jiménez, Jr., Moises Kaufman, Ralph Lemon, Luis Valdez, and Jack Whitten. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend. The event can be seen below.

"These National Medal of Arts recipients have helped to define our nation's cultural legacy through the artistic excellence of their creative traditions," says NEA Chairman Jane Chu, "and I join the President in congratulating and thanking them for their contributions."

The National Medal of Arts citations recognize "Audra McDonald for lighting up Broadway as one of its brightest stars. An unforgettable performer, she has won six Tony awards. In musicals, concerts, operas, and the recording studio, her rich, soulful voice continues to take her audiences to new heights." The citation recognize "Philip Glass for his groundbreaking contributions to music and composition. One of the most prolific, inventive, and influential artists of our time, he has expanded musical possibility with his operas, symphonies, film scores, and wide-ranging collaborations."

Established by the US Congress in 1984, the National Medal of Arts has been awarded to writers, dancers, choreographers, actors, painters, musicians, and dedicated supporters of the arts for their contributions to the field of arts and humanities in America. For more information, visit arts.gov.