It may be my ignorance in being new to Ballet. So please bear with me.

In India, there are annual awards presented on a National level, the Government (the President of the country) to artists from many walks of life. Usually these are in the classical arts, literature, humanities, science, etc. and are given to individuals who have made a significant contribution in the field.

I have heard of similar title and/or awards in Great Britain. Does the USA as well as other nations have similar honors/titles presented to exceptional individuals in the arts?

Who are some of the Ballet dancers/choreographer/artists recognized in this manner?

edited for spelling

The closest equivalent in the US is Kennedy Center Honors, which is described on its website as

Past honorees in ballet include:

1978 George Balanchine (first group)
1980 Agnes de Mille
1986 Antony Tudor
1989 Alexandra Danilova
1993 Arthur Mitchell
1995 Jacques d'Amboise
1996 Maria Tallchief
1997 Edward Villella
2000 Mikail Baryshnikov

The list of past honorees is located here.

Since the awards are televised -- each year's group of 5-6 is honored together -- the Kennedy Center Honors home page has a link to telecasts. It requires RealPlayer.

Thanks for the response Helene. I have seen the awards on TV for the past few years, but did not recollect the dance community. Great links. Now I have another reason to stay on the internet for a few more hours! Sheesh.

It's interesting that 6 of the 9 had long associations -- and Barykshnikov a brief association -- with New York City Ballet. All were primarily New York based. Kind of like that famous Saul Steinberg New Yorker cover showing us the U.S. as a great, big Manhattan, with the rest of the country clinging to the margins.

And it looks like Ballet is overdue in getting recognition soon! Last one in 2000!