Sabine LaFortune from The Billie Holiday Theatre appears on stage with President Joe Biden during an event for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Bruce Springsteen walks off the stage after an event with President Joe Biden for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Gladys Knight received the National Medal of the Arts at the White House Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus was one of 12 people awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Joe Biden Tuesday at the White House. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Gladys Knight walks off the stage after an event with President Joe Biden for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Mindy Kaling was one of 12 recipients of the National Medal of the Arts, awarded by President Joe Biden Tuesday at the White House. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Designer Vera Wang arrives at the White House Tuesday where she received the National Medal of the Arts from President Joe Biden. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Philanthropist Fred Eychaner was one of 11 people awarded the National Medal of Humanities by President Joe Biden at the White House Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Denise Saunders Thompson from the International Association of Blacks in Dance share a moment with President Joe Biden during an event for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Walter Isaacson poses for photos with President Joe Biden during an event for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
Judith Francisca Baca shows off her medal on stage with President Joe Biden during an event for the Arts and Humanities Award Ceremony in The East Room of The White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI
March 21 (UPI) -- Rock 'n' roll legend Bruce Springsteen and award-winning actress Julia Louis Dreyfus were among the 12 people awarded the National Medal of the Arts Tuesday at the White House.
U.S. President Joe Biden bestowed the highest American award given to artists during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon, where he also awarded 11 recipients with the National Humanities Medal.
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"We're a nation, a great nation in large part because of the power of the arts and humanities that is stamped into the DNA of America," Biden told the assembled crowd.
The "Empress of Soul," Gladys Knight, also was awarded the National Medal of the Arts, as was actress and producer Mindy Kaling, songwriter Jose Feliciano, fashion designer Vera Wang, and artist Judith Francisca Baca, among others.
The Billie Holiday Theatre and International Association of Blacks in Dance also received the medal as an institution.
"The work of our honorees is as diverse as the nation that celebrates with them today," Biden said, before awarding the individual medals.
Authors Colson Whitehead and Amy Tan were two of 11 recipients of the National Humanities Medal.
All recipients of both medals attended the gathering, except for Feliciano.
In a surprise move, Biden in September awarded the National Humanities Medal to Sir Elton John following a performance at the White House.