IU Jacobs School of Music Professor Watts Receive 2011 National Medal of Arts

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music professor of piano André Watts will receive the 2011 National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and art patrons by the United States government.

"I am deeply humbled to receive the national medal and am especially proud to receive it from the White House and President Obama," Watts said. "The arts are an ever-present part of our lives, and the broad representation of awardees this year is a powerful testament to the cultural diversity of our nation."

President Barack Obama will bestow the medal during a ceremony at 1:45 p.m. ET today, Feb. 13, in the East Room of the White House. While Watts is unable to attend, the ceremony can be viewed live at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Live.

"The students, faculty and staff celebrate the honor that President Obama has bestowed on Professor Watts," said Gwyn Richards, dean of the Jacobs School. "As one of the world's most celebrated pianists and teachers, we cherish André's deep commitment to guiding a new generation of talented musicians in Bloomington."

Other 2011 National Medal of Arts winners include painter, printmaker and teacher Will Barnet; poet and author Rita Dove; actor and director Al Pacino; curator, art collector and philanthropist Emily Rauh Pulitzer; sculptor Martin Puryear; country music singer-songwriter Mel Tillis; and the United Service Organization (USO), an organization responsible for lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families through the arts.

The 2011 National Humanities Medal will also be awarded to nine individuals and organizations at the ceremony. For more about that award or recipients, visitwww.neh.gov/news/archive/2011_Medalists.html.