Which U.S. honor did Georgia O’Keeffe receive in 1985?

Georgia O’Keeffe received the National Medal of Arts in 1985.

The National Medal of Arts is presented by the president of the United States to honor outstanding contributions to American artistic and cultural life. O’Keeffe’s award recognized her role in developing a distinctive form of American modernism and her broad influence on later artists, museums, and the public understanding of modern art.

The 1985 honor came eight years after she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The awards are separate: the Presidential Medal of Freedom covers exceptional civilian contributions across public life, while the National Medal of Arts specifically celebrates artistic achievement. O’Keeffe was also honored by major museums and cultural institutions during her lifetime, making her one of the most decorated American artists of the twentieth century.