Kennedy Center Honors
A tribute recognizing performing arts contributions to American culture.
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual tribute recognizing performing arts contributions to American culture. Presented annually since 1978, a December gala celebrates five Honorees at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. While chiefly awarded to individuals for lifetime achievements, honorees have occasionally included duos or musical groups, and collective honors have recognized one television show and one performing arts venue.
- Presenting Organization
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Ceremony Location
- Washington, D.C.
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The idea for the Kennedy Center Honors began in 1977 following a 10th-anniversary White House reception for the American Film Institute. Roger L. Stevens, the founding chairman of the Kennedy Center, asked George Stevens Jr., the founding director of the AFI (no relation), to hold an event for the center. Stevens Jr. brought Isaac Stern on board before pitching the concept to CBS. Bernie Sofronski, a CBS vice president for specials, explained the network's motivation: "George [Stevens] came to us with this. What turned us on is that this is the only show of its kind." He noted that while Europe and England have ways of honoring actors and athletes, this would be a "national honoring of people who have contributed to society," distinct from shows focused on current pop hits. George Stevens Jr. produced the first gala in 1978 and remained producer and co-writer through 2014 before selling production rights back to the Kennedy Center.
In Their Own Story
In 2025, the ceremony took a historic turn when U.S. president Donald Trump hosted the event at the Kennedy Center on December 7, marking the first time any sitting or former U.S. president had hosted the Honors. This followed a vote by the center's board to add the incumbent president's name to the institution, leading CBS to relabel the broadcast as "Trump-Kennedy Center Honors" with a voiceover. The medallion design also changed that year; Tiffany & Co. created a new version featuring a navy blue strap and a gold disc with the building and rainbow colors, replacing James "Jimmy" Baturin's original 1978 design of rainbow ribbons and a gold name plate. Prior to this, the 2024 ceremony was hosted by Queen Latifah, while the 2023 event featured Gloria Estefan as host.
Reader's Guide
The selection process begins with public recommendations, which are reviewed by a Special Honors Advisory Committee comprising board trustees, past honorees, and distinguished artists. The executive committee of the board then selects recipients based on their impact in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television, typically announcing choices between July and September. Most honorees are Americans, though non-U.S. citizens from the anglosphere have also been recognized. As of 2025, 263 people have received the award, alongside two special awards; notably, Bill Cosby's 1998 honor was rescinded in 2018 following his conviction. The weekend-long event includes a Chairman's Luncheon on Saturday, a State Department dinner where medallions are presented by the board chairman, and an early-evening White House reception on Sunday traditionally hosted by the president and first lady. The gala performance follows, usually airing on CBS between Christmas and New Year's, though the 2019 edition aired in early December.
Did You Know?
- George Stevens Jr. produced and co-wrote the event from its inception in 1978 until 2014.
- The rainbow-colored ribbon worn by honorees symbolizes "a spectrum of many skills within the performing arts" according to creator Ivan Chermayeff.
- In 2017, neither President Donald Trump nor First Lady Melania Trump attended any events, though they were not the first presidential couple to skip; Ronald and Nancy Reagan were the first to miss the ceremony in 1981.
- The 2019 Honorees included a television program for the first time: Sesame Street.
- Due to renovations starting in 2026, the ceremony will move offsite to a smaller venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dolly Parton receive the Kennedy Center Honors?
She was celebrated as one of the honorees during the December 2022 gala ceremony. This recognition came after a long career contributing significantly to American music and culture.
What specifically does this honor recognize in an artist's career?
The award is designed to acknowledge lifetime achievements and major contributions to performing arts within America. It focuses on the overall impact of an individual rather than a single project or year.
Where do fans watch the ceremony where Dolly was honored?
The event is held annually at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. While the live show happens there, it is often broadcast for wider audiences to see.
Which organization manages and presents this award each year?
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts oversees the selection process and presentation of these tributes. They have maintained this tradition continuously since its inception in 1978.
How many artists are typically honored alongside Dolly at one event?
Usually, five honorees are chosen to be celebrated together at each annual gala. While mostly individuals, the group sometimes includes duos or collective entities depending on the year.