National Museum of Women in the Arts Founder Receives National Medal of Arts: President Presents Wilhelmina Cole Holladay Honor for Her Service to the Arts
Media contact: Howard White, Director of Communications
202-783-7983, hwhite@nmwa.org
WASHINGTON—Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder and chair of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) today received the National Medal of Honor from President Bush in an Oval Office ceremony.
The National Medal of Arts, established by Congress in 1984, is awarded by the President to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the creation, growth, and support of the arts in the United States.
Each year, the Arts Endowment seeks nominations from individuals and organizations across the country. The National Council on the Arts, the Arts Endowment’s Presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed advisory body, reviews the nominations and provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients.
Holladay was one of ten recipients of the 2006 Medal. Also honored were classical composer William Bolcom; dancer and movie actress Cyd Charisse; photographer Roy R. DeCarava; Erich Kunzel, the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra; literary translator Gregory Rabassa; industrial designer and sculptor Viktor Schreckengost; and bluegrass musician Dr. Ralph Stanley. Also honored were the Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Orleans and Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts.
“I am honored to be included in such prestigious company and honored to accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of the National Museum of Women in the Arts,” said Holladay. “I feel that this award confirms the importance and relevance of women in art and in art history.”
ABOUT THE WOMEN'S MUSEUM
The National Museum of Women in the Arts, founded in 1981 and opened in 1987, will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2007. It is the only museum dedicated solely to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing, and literary arts. Its permanent collection contains works by more than 800 artists. The Museum conducts multidisciplinary programs for diverse audiences and maintains a Library and Research Center accessible to the public by appointment. The Museum is located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, in a landmark building near the White House.
