Last month President Obama presented a 2009 National Medals in Arts and Humanities to Milton Glaser who accepted his medal "for a lifetime of improving the way people communicate through innovation in graphic design and memorable visual artifacts that challenge contemporary artists and delight all Americans." (Other honorees included Maya Lin, Frank Stella, the School of American Ballet, Jesse Norman, Elie Wiesel and John Williams.)
In his opening remarks, Obama quoted George Washington, who once wrote that "to encourage literature and the arts is a duty every good citizen owes to his country." The video is long, but I found the recognition of the arts inspiring, plus it's kind of fun to watch the honorees interact with the President (and the First Lady who is seated in the front row).