US President Joe Biden received Hollywood star George Clooney, rock band U2 and soul singer Gladys Knight at government headquarters in Washington on Sunday.
The artists were to be honored for their life's work by the renowned Kennedy Center in Washington on Sunday evening (local time) in the presence of Biden.
Pop singer Amy Grant and composer Tania Leon were also among the honorees and were guests of Biden in the White House before the ceremony.
US President Joe Biden paid tribute to the artists' achievements.
He jokingly introduced Clooney as "Amal Clooney's husband".
Amal Clooney is a prominent human rights lawyer.
Named after former President John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Center is the largest cultural facility in the US capital.
Past award winners include Meryl Streep, Aretha Franklin, Robert De Niro, George Lucas, Tom Hanks and Sting.
Last year, singer Joni Mitchell and actress Bette Midler received awards, among others.