For the first time in 25 years, the National Endowment for the Arts has created the new lifetime achievement award. It will be the nation's highest honor in opera. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) today did something it hasn't done in more than a quarter century: it announced new awards to honor lifetime achievement and individual excellence, this time in the field of opera. "Opera in the United States is a vibrant, healthy art form and it's only fitting that we give it the added recognition of an honor bestowed by the United States government -- just as we do with jazz and folk and traditional arts. This is a way to honor our great opera artists and their work," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia.For the full press release, please go to http://www.nea.gov/news/news08/OperaHonors.html
