King, Wolff Among National Medal of Arts Honorees

Shelf Awareness

Authors Stephen King and Tobias Wolff are among the 11 National Medal of Arts recipients who will be honored on Thursday by President Obama. The award recognizes "individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States." The National Humanities Medals will be presented at the same ceremony. 

National Endowment for the Arts chairman Jane Chu commented: "Ranging from literature, theater, and visual arts to arts presentation and philanthropy, these artists and organizations have broadened our horizons and enriched our lives. I join the president in congratulating them and celebrating what the arts do for America."

This National Medal of Arts citations for the two writers are as follows:

Stephen King for his contributions as an author: "One of the most popular and prolific writers of our time, Mr. King combines his remarkable storytelling with his sharp analysis of human nature. For decades, his works of horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy have terrified and delighted audiences around the world."

Tobias Wolff for his contributions as an author and educator: "His raw works of fiction examine themes of American identity and individual morality. With wit and compassion, Mr. Wolff’s work reflects the truths of our human experience."