The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and its Director Kim Sajet welcomed more than 750 stars and luminaries from across the country to the nation’s capital for the 2022 Portrait of a Nation Gala.

The 2022 Portrait of a Nation Gala – an elegant and uplifting night – will honor seven remarkable individuals for their transformational impact on the nation’s history, development, and culture.

The honorees embody creativity, individuality, excellence, and service to the people of our country. They receive the Portrait of a Nation Award from distinguished presenters, each of whom has a meaningful connection to the honorees.

We are proud to introduce our honorees and their presenters:

Host

Baratunde Thurston

Artists, musicians, distinguished guests, and friends of the National Portrait Gallery celebrate the renowned honorees in the museum’s Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, beneath its glittering glass canopy.

The biennial Portrait of a Nation Gala seeks to raise $3 million to strengthen the museum’s endowment, to support its mission to tell the dynamic and multifaceted story of the United States of America.

Portrait of a Nation Award

The Portrait of a Nation Award is awarded to individuals selected from the illustrious roster of contemporary Americans whose portraits reside in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Recipients have made significant contributions across diverse fields and have demonstrated a significant commitment to service, and the values of creativity, individuality, insight, and inquiry.

Lead Sponsors

Exclusive Media Partner

Photo Credits:
José Andrés: photo by Josh Telles; Clive Davis: Photo by Fadil Berisha; Ava DuVernay: photo courtesy of ARRAY; Marian Wright Edelman: photo by Biljana B. Milenkovic, Courtesy of the Children’s Defense Fund; Anthony S. Fauci, M.D: Courtesy of NIAID/NIH; Serena Williams: © Paton Antoniou/Trunk Archive; Venus Williams: photo by Laura Metzler Photography.