President Obama recently awarded former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philippe de Montebello, the National Humanities Medal for his vision in bringing great art to an international public and his leadership in revitalizing the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and for fostering arts appreciation among people of all ages.

The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens’ engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to important resources in the humanities.