Similar to Japan's Living National Treasure award,[1] the Fellowship is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.

From that pool of candidates, recommendations are made by a rotating panel of specialists, including one layperson, as well as folklorists and others with a variety of forms of cultural expertise.

Over the years, the awards ceremony has been held at different locations in the US capital city, including the NEA headquarters, Ford's Theatre, George Washington University,[1] the Library of Congress,[7] and for the first time at the White House in 1995.

[7] Masters of ceremonies at the concerts have included folksinger Pete Seeger, actress Ruby Dee, author Studs Terkel, journalist Charles Kuralt, and since 1997 Nick Spitzer, the host of public radio program American Routes.

In 2000, the NEA instituted the Bess Lomax Hawes Award in conjunction with the Fellowships, "given to an individual for achievements in fostering excellence, ensuring vitality, and promoting public appreciation of the folk and traditional arts".