Washington, D.C., is a national center for the arts, home to several concert halls and theaters. The
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is home to
National Symphony Orchestra,
Washington National Opera, and the
Washington Ballet. The
Kennedy Center Honors are awarded each year to those in the performing arts who have contributed greatly to the cultural life of the United States. This ceremony is often attended by the sitting
U.S. president and other dignitaries and celebrities. The Kennedy Center also awards the annual
Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.