The inclusion of Santana and opera singer Martina Arroyo is seen as a landmark change for Latino organizations that have blasted the Kennedy Center for honoring only two Hispanics out of 180 artists in the past 34 years.
Carlos Santana, Billy Joel, Shirley Maclaine, Martina Arroyo and Herbie Hancock have been chosen for Kennedy Center Honors, considered the nation’s highest honor for those who influence American culture through the arts.
Tsering Topgyal / AP
But it is the inclusion of iconic musician Santana and legendary opera singer Arroyo which is making waves. Latino organizations have blasted the Kennedy Center for choosing only two Hispanic artists out of 180 in the previous 34 years.
Aijaz Rahi / AP
The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) congratulates the Kennedy Center Honors for its selection of such an impressive array of diverse Honorees. In particular, we applaud the selection of Carlos Santana, an iconic musical performer who defined a generation. Similarly, we congratulate Martina Arroyo's selection, a renowned Opera singer who broke color line barriers and whose story has never been fully told or appreciated. The Kennedy Center Honors should be credited today with presenting a more modern artistic landscape that inclusively represents the artistic achievements of this great nation.
The Kennedy Center changed its selection process in May after pressure and criticism over how it had previously selected honorees.
It decided to begin seeking recommendations from the public for the first time in the award's 35-year history and allowed for online recommendations. The center also formed a special honors committee, including former honorees Chita Rivera and Yo-Yo Ma, along with opera singer Harolyn Blackwell, dancer Damian Woetzel and two center board members.
Kevin Wolf / AP
