The remark drew large cheers and a standing ovation from the audience in the East Room, where Biden was joined by First Lady Jill Biden, National Endowment for the Arts chair Maria Rosario Jackson and National Endowment for the Humanities chair Shelly C. Lowe.

The National Humanities Medals are awarded to people or organizations “whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens' engagement with history or literature, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access ...

Above all, you are the masters of your craft that have made us a better America with all of you have done,” Biden said at the White House ceremony.