It was another high note in the legendary career of Van Cliburn, who, in a ceremony at the White House on March 2, 2011, was presented with the National Medal of Arts by President Obama. Addressing those in attendance, the President reflected on the importance of the arts in America's cultural history saying, "The fact is that works of art, literature, works of history--they speak to our condition, and they affirm our desire for something more and something better."

Mr. Cliburn was among nine other leading artistic figures to be honored with the 2010 National Medal of Arts--the nation's highest cultural distinction. The award is given annually to artists and arts patrons who have made a significant impact on the country's cultural landscape. According to the official White House statement, Mr. Cliburn received the medal in recognition of "his contributions as one of the greatest pianists in the history of music and as a persuasive ambassador for American culture." Since his historic win in 1958 at the first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, during the height of the Cold War, Cliburn "has reached across political frontiers with the universal message of beautiful music."

Mr. Cliburn has been invited to the White House as a guest and has performed for every president since Harry Truman. He has received countless awards and accolades including Kennedy Center Honors and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, Mr. Cliburn received the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and in 2003 President George W. Bush bestowed upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. When asked where the National Medal of Arts stood among his other distinctions Mr. Cliburn replied, "extremely high, when your government, your president, extends you an accolade for what you've been able to do."