U.S. President Barack Obama awards the 2015 National Medal of Arts to author Sandra Cisneros (L) at the White House in Washington

U.S. President Barack Obama awards the 2015 National Humanities Medal to journalist Isabel Wilkerson (L) at the White House in Washington, U.S.

U.S. President Barack Obama awards the 2015 National Humanities Medal to author Elaine Pagels (L) at the White House in Washington, U.S.

U.S. President Barack Obama awards the 2015 National Medal of Arts to actor Audra McDonald (L) at the White House in Washington