Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the photographer Carrie Mae Weems (2006 Fellow) and the painter Alex Katz (1984 Resident) are among the honorees for the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts, to be presented alongside the National Humanities Medals. The private ceremony at the White House will include remarks from President Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and the chairs of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.
Carrie Mae Weems, awarded the 2022 National Medal of Arts, is a renowned visual artist whose works in photography, video, and performance thoughtfully explore themes of race, gender, identity, and social justice, using art as a medium for reflection and activism. Her contributions to American culture have expanded conversations about history, representation, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. During her fellowship Weems immerse herself in Rome’s artistic heritage, developing her acclaimed Roaming series, which juxtaposes her solitary figure against monumental historical backdrops, exploring the intersection of personal and collective histories.
Alex Katz, a 2023 National Humanities Medal recipient, is a figurative painter and sculptor known for a distinctive visual style that blends abstraction and realism. His career has spanned more than seven decades, and his portraits and landscapes are praised for their bold simplicity and iconic flatness. After his time in Rome as a 1984 Resident, Katz returned to the Academy for a two-person exhibition with Ed Ruscha in 2001.
The National Humanities Medals and National Medals of Arts are the highest honors the US government bestows in these fields. This year’s awards—which include Ruth Asawa, Mark Bradford, Ken Burns, Missy Elliott, Spike Lee, Eva Longoria, Queen Latifah, Bruce Sagan, and Steven Spielberg—continue the tradition of recognizing individuals whose work enriches the cultural and intellectual fabric of the nation. Both Weems and Katz, with their long and deep associations with the American Academy in Rome, are shining examples of how international artistic exchange can enhance and elevate the human experience.