20 U.S.C. § 955b : US Code - Section 955B: National Medal of Arts

Search 20 U.S.C. § 955b : US Code - Section 955B: National Medal of Arts

(a) Establishment
There is hereby established a National Medal of Arts, which shall
be a medal of such design as is deemed appropriate by the
President, on the basis of recommendations submitted by the
National Council on the Arts, and which shall be awarded as
provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Award of Medal; conditions; recipients; presentation ceremonies
(1) The President shall from time to time award the National
Medal of Arts, on the basis of recommendations from the National
Council on the Arts, to individuals or groups who in the
President's judgment 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.
(2) Not more than twelve of such medals may be awarded in any
calendar year.
(3) An individual may be awarded the National Medal of Arts only
if at the time such award is made such individual -
(A) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or
(B) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for
permanent residence who (i) has filed an application or petition
for naturalization in the manner prescribed by section 1445 of
title 8 and (ii) is not permanently ineligible to become a
citizen of the United States.
(4) A group may be awarded the National Medal of Arts only if
such group is organized or incorporated in the United States.
(5) The presentation of the National Medal of Arts shall be made
by the President with such ceremonies as the President may deem
proper, including attendance by appropriate Members of Congress.
(c) Availability of funds
Funds made available to the National Endowment for the Arts shall
be used to carry out this section.