Bruce Springsteen Receives National Medal of Arts in White House Ceremony

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Bruce Springsteen with Pres. Biden at the East Room of the White House, March 21, 2023

Bruce Springsteen was among the honorees at the White House today (March 21, 2023) to receive the 2021 National Medals of Arts in conjunction with the National Humanities Medals. President Joseph R. Biden presented the medals in an East Room ceremony. The event was live streamed here. It’s available to view below.

In saluting Springsteen, Pres. Biden said, “The Boss is here. As they say in South Philadelphia and North Wilmington… a Jersey boy. A poet, a troubadour, a chronicler of American life, resilience and hope and dreams. A New Jersey boy is back on tour approaching… catch this… 3000 concerts around the world. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. Bruce, some people are just born to run, man.” On this same day, Springsteen announced several additional dates for his 2023 tour with the E Street Band. Tickets are available here and on StubHub.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus clowning with Pres. Biden at the National Medal of Arts ceremony

The other 2021 recipients included Jose Feliciano, Mindy Kaling, Gladys Knight, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose many roles in television and film include Veep for which she won six consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, said, “The National Medal of Arts recipients have helped to define and enrich our nation’s cultural legacy through their life long passionate commitment. We are a better nation because of their contributions. Their work helps us see the world in different ways. It inspires us to reach our full potential and recognize our common humanity. I join the President in congratulating and thanking them.”

Knight was described as an “exceptional talent [who] influenced musical genres—from rhythm and blues to gospel to pop—and inspired generations of artists, captivated by her soundtrack of a golden age in American music.”

In the White House’s press statement, Springsteen was described as “one of our greatest performers and storytellers, his music celebrates our triumphs, heals our wounds, and gives us hope, capturing the unyielding spirit of what it means to be American.”