The Kennedy Center Honors announced on Wednesday that the lifetime artistic achievement recipients for its 43rd ceremony are Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Midori, and Dick Van Dyke. The 2020 ceremony, traditionally held in early December, was postponed until May 2021 due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic. This past year has “shined a bright light on the impact of how art and culture speaks to our collective human experience,” Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said. “We are thrilled to be able to fete these cultural icons in a time where the world and the nation needs the arts more than ever.” The event will air June 6 on CBS.
The citation for Tony nominee and two-time Emmy winner Allen noted that she “moves seamlessly between artistic disciplines and is a cultural ambassador for all while having a monumental impact on dancers of color everywhere.” Allen responded, ““I am truly humbled to be named a Kennedy Center Honoree 2020. This is so much more than our nation’s Highest Artistic Award, it is a measure of how my footprint has resonated as a path of light over the years and in this time of tremendous uncertainty, fear, and search for hope. This glorious achievement I share with my family, mentors, and students who have inspired and pushed me all the way. I look forward to being part of a fresh start for America and reminding the world how essential the Performing Arts are in our lives. Much Gratitude.”
The citation for Tony- and four-time Emmy-winning actor Van Dyke read, “With a charm that has made him one of the most cherished performers in show business history, Dick Van Dyke has brought us beloved film, stage, and TV characters adored by generations of fans, for more than seven decades.” Van Dyke noted, “Many years ago, I was the host of a similar event held, as I recall, in private with the Kennedy family. I saw the care with which the recipient was chosen from an impressive list of nominees. Since the creation of the Kennedy Center Honors, just over 200 have been honored with equal care. Being included in that small, illustrious group, is the thrill of my life.”