- Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
- Year of Institution: 1972
- Country: Republic of The Philippines
The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (or Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas in Tagalog) is a prestigious distinction granted by the President of the Philippines to Filipino nationals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of Philippine art. These distinguished individuals, known as National Artists, were initially recognized through an Award, which was later elevated to the status of an order in 2003.
Administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, this order was established under President Ferdinand Marcos’s Proclamation № 1001 dated April 2, 1972. The first recipient of this recognition was the renowned Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo.
National Artists are those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and impact in their respective artistic fields. Candidates for this honor must undergo a rigorous selection process, including recommendations from both the Cultural Center and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, before being officially conferred the Award. Following a Presidential Proclamation, these individuals are designated as National Artists (Filipino: Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) and are welcomed into the Order.
The National Artist of the Philippines Medal Eligibility
Originally, the categories for recognizing National Artists encompassed various fields, including:
- Music: including singing, composition, direction, and/or performance;
- Dance: covering choreography, direction, and/or performance;
- Theater: involving direction, performance, and/or production design;
- Contemporary Arts: spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation art, mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, performance art, and/or imaging;
- Literature: comprising poetry, fiction, essay, playwriting, journalism, and/or literary criticism;
- Film and Broadcasting/Broadcast Arts: encompassing direction, writing, production design, cinematography, editing, camera work, and/or performance; and
- Architecture, Design, and Allied Arts: which includes architecture design, interior design, industrial arts design, landscape architecture, and fashion design.
