Kennedy Center Honors
An annual tribute recognizing performing arts contributions to American culture since 1978.
The Kennedy Center Honors stands as an annual tribute recognizing performing arts contributions to American culture. Presented annually since 1978, a December gala celebrates five Honorees at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. While chiefly awarded to individuals for lifetime achievements, honorees have occasionally included duos or musical groups, alongside collective honors for specific works and organizations.
- Location
- Washington D.C.
- Awarding Body
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Category
- Lifetime Achievement in the Performing Arts
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The concept for the Honors originated in 1977 following a White House reception for the American Film Institute. Roger L. Stevens asked George Stevens Jr., the founding director of the AFI, to create an event for the center. Stevens Jr. enlisted Isaac Stern and pitched the idea to CBS, but PBS aired the inaugural ceremony in 1978; CBS did not acquire broadcast rights until 1984. Over decades, hosts included Eric Sevareid, Beverly Sills, Walter Cronkite (1984–2002), Caroline Kennedy (2003–2012), Glenn Close, and Stephen Colbert. Notably, Gloria Estefan, LL Cool J, and Queen Latifah were celebrated as honorees rather than serving as hosts. The ceremony is traditionally attended by the sitting U.S. President.
In Their Own Story
The selection process begins with public recommendations reviewed by a Special Honors Advisory Committee comprising trustees, past Honorees, and distinguished artists. The executive committee of the board selects recipients based on impact in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television, typically announcing names between July and September. Most honorees are Americans, though non-U.S. citizens from the anglosphere have been included. The weekend-long ceremony features an invitation-only schedule: a Saturday Chairman's Luncheon at the Kennedy Center, followed by a State Department dinner presided over by the Secretary of State where Honors medallions are presented. Recipients wear a wide rainbow-colored ribbon designed by Ivan Chermayeff to symbolize "a spectrum of many skills within the performing arts." Sunday includes an early-evening White House reception traditionally hosted by the President and First Lady, concluding with the gala performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
Reader's Guide
The gala is not aired live; an edited two-hour version normally telecasts on CBS between Christmas and New Year's. In 2019, it aired early in December and appeared on CBS All Access. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 edition was held May 17–22, 2021, with a broadcast on June 6, 2021. Since 2021, streams are available via Paramount+. In 2024, the runtime expanded to two and a half hours. The 2015 gala saw President Barack Obama join late after a White House address. Conversely, in 2017, neither President Donald Trump nor First Lady Melania Trump attended; the event proceeded without them for the first time since 1979 (when Jimmy Carter was absent due to the Iran hostage crisis). In 2025, medallions were redesigned by Tiffany & Co., replacing the previous James "Jimmy" Baturin design with a navy blue strap and gold disc. Also in 2025, CBS added a voiceover relabeling the event as "Trump-Kennedy Center Honors," following a board vote to rename the center despite legal constraints.
Did You Know?
- The first host was John Chancellor in 1978, not Leonard Bernstein (who was actually an honoree that year).
- Walter Cronkite hosted the gala for 19 consecutive years, from 1984 to 2002, marking the start of the national CBS telecast era.
- In 2019, Sesame Street became the first television program to receive a Kennedy Center Honor.
- The rainbow-colored ribbon worn by recipients was designed by Milton Glaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the Kennedy Center Honors?
This annual tribute recognizes lifetime contributions to American culture within the performing arts, presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In which year did Bruce Springsteen receive this award?
Bruce was selected as one of five honorees during the gala ceremony that took place in December 2009.
Where does the annual celebration occur?
The event is hosted at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, which is located in Washington, D.C.
Why is this honor considered a major milestone for musicians?
It serves as one of the highest national recognitions available to artists, celebrating their enduring impact on culture throughout their careers.
Does the award focus on specific albums or overall legacies?
The tribute chiefly awards individuals for lifetime achievements, though it occasionally includes groups or organizations alongside solo performers.
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