U.S. President Barack Obama handed out the National Medals of Arts and Humanities to 24 honorees during a White House ceremony on Wednesday (July 10).
Among this year's recipients were "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, who Obama credited with transforming the world of special effects; musician Herb Alpert, who was honored for his extensive music career and philanthropy; and Tony award-winning playwright Tony Kushner, who is most famous for his Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angels in America."
Honorees were selected in a process organized by the National Endowment for the Arts.
