The National Humanities Medal is an American award that annually recognizes several individuals, groups, or institutions for work that has "deepened the nation's understanding of the

humanities Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, the term contrasted with divinity and referred to what is now called classics, the main area of secular study in universities at the t ...

, broadened our citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities." The annual

Charles Frankel Charles Frankel (December 13, 1917 – May 10, 1979) was an American philosopher, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, professor and founding director of the National Humanities Center. Early life and personal life Born into a Jewish family in New ...

Prize in the Humanities was established in 1988 and succeeded by the National Humanities Medal in 1997. The token is a bronze medal designed by a 1995 Frankel Prize winner,

David Macaulay David Macaulay (born 2 December 1946) is a British-born American illustrator and writer. His works include ''Cathedral'' (1973), '' The Way Things Work'' (1988) and ''The New Way Things Work'' (1998). His illustrations have been featured in ...

. Medals are conferred annually, usually by the

U.S. President The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States ...

, to as many as twelve living candidates and existing organizations nominated early in the calendar year. The president selects the winners in consultation with the

National Endowment for the Humanities The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency of the U.S. government, established by thNational Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965(), dedicated to supporting research, education, preserv ...

(NEH). NEH asks that nominators consult the list of previous winners and consider the

National Medal of Arts The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and Patronage, patrons of the arts. A prestigious American honor, it is the highest honor given to artists and ar ...

to recognize contributions in "the creative or performing arts".

Recipients

Medalists are listed by year, then alphabetically by surname. ;2022 *

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist and composer. Commonly nicknamed the "Rocket Man" after his 1972 hit single of the same name, John has led a commercially successful career a ...

;2021 *None awarded ;2020 ;2019 ;2018 *None awarded ;2017 *None awarded ;2016 *None awarded ;2015 ;2014 ;2013 ;2012 ;2011 ;2010 ;2009 ;2008 ;2007 ;2006 ;2005 ;2004 ;2003 ;2002 ;2001 ;2000 ;1999 ;1998 ;1997

Charles Frankel Prize

;1996 ;1995 ;1994 ;1993 ;1992 ;1991 ;1990 ;1989

References

{{reflist Awards established in 1988 Humanities awards *