Article Content

Carrie Mae Weems, a celebrated American artist and University of California San Diego visual arts alumna, was presented the National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony on Oct. 21. Artist Mark Bradford, whose work is included in the university’s public art collection, the Stuart Collection, was also recognized.

The National Medal of Arts represents the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government for outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. Honorees span visual art, music and film, with the 2023 and 2022 medal classes including creatives like artist and producer Melissa “Missy” Elliott, singer Selena Quintanilla (posthumously), filmmaker Steven Spielberg and more.

In his ceremony remarks, President Biden lauded recipients for breaking barriers, redefining culture, telling truths and building bridges that help us find meaning and purpose in the ordinary and extraordinary. 

“I congratulate Carrie Mae Weems on this well-deserved recognition. Throughout her prolific career, she has shown us the power of the arts to explore the complexity of the human experience while offering stirring commentary on race, gender, class and identity,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “We are also proud to represent the work of medalist Mark Bradford in our public art collection, which is designed to enrich the cultural, intellectual and scholarly life of UC San Diego.”