National Artist Award in the Philippines

National Artist Award (NAA)

• NAA is the highest form of recognition to Filipino artists for their significant contributions in the arts and letters.
• The award is conferred every three years.
• Established in 1972, with Fernando Amorsolo as the first recipient.
• A total of 66 awardees have been recognized from various disciplinal areas, including Architecture, Design, Film, Visual arts, Literature, Dance, Music, and Theater.

Notable Recipients

• Guillermo Tolentino: Oblation, 1935 (awarded 1972)
• Benedicto Cabrera: Variations of Sabel, 2015
• Napoleon Abueva: Spirit of business, 1979
• Nick Joaquin: A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, 1950 (awarded 1976)

Support Systems, Institutions, and Initiatives

Educational Institutions

• Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Laguna offers training in visual arts, creative writing, theatre arts, dance, and music.

Collectives and Artists Organizations

• Anino Shadowplay Collective (formed in 1996) promotes the art of shadowplay.
• Sipat Lawin Ensemble (formed in 2008) is a site-specific experimental theatre company.

Theatrical Organizations

• Tanghalang Ateneo: performs Filipino plays and adaptations of classic Teatro Tomasino original plays written by students.
• Dulaang UP: performs both English and Filipino, original plays written by Filipinos, and traditional sarswelas.

Dance Companies

• Kalilayan Folkloric dance group
• University of San Carlos Dance Troupe
• Hiyas ng Maynilad Dance Troupe
• UP Filipina Dance Group
• Lyceum of Batangas Folk Dance Company

Visual Arts

• Museums are tasked to preserve heritage for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.
• Contemporary art exhibitions can go beyond traditional gallery and museum settings.