U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the 2011 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal presentation ceremony

President Barack Obama honors recipients of the 2011 National Medals of Arts and Humanities during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Obama describes the value of arts and culture in American society and quotes poets and artists. He describes how artists come from all walks of life. An unidentified military aide reads the official citation for each recipient as Obama presents the medals.