The Kennedy Center has introduced a redesigned Honors medal at this year’s ceremony, marking the most significant change since the award’s inception nearly five decades ago. The updated medal features a solid deep blue ribbon, replacing the long-standing multicolored rainbow design, and includes a more substantial gold medallion. This new design will make its debut during the ceremony taking place in March 2024.
Discussions surrounding the redesign involved the White House, Kennedy Center leadership, and an external design team from Tiffany & Co.. The goal was to refresh the visual identity of the Honors while still honoring the tradition of the award. The new medal showcases a circular medallion at its center, accompanied by a simplified ribbon loop. The design resembles a traditional sports medal, featuring an etching of the Kennedy Center building along with a subtle hint of rainbow colors at the top and bottom. The recipient’s name and the date of the ceremony will be inscribed on the back.
The original rainbow design, introduced in 1978, became a symbol of the Honors, crafted by a family in Washington, D.C. Its retirement sparked significant online discourse, as many previous attendees and arts organizations noted the departure from tradition. The change has been described by Kennedy Center officials as part of a “comprehensive branding update.” This initiative aims to unify the visual presentation across stage production, broadcast elements, and printed materials while moving away from what some officials termed “woke” elements. Importantly, the redesign does not affect the criteria for selection or the core mission of the Honors.
This year’s ceremony will feature new staging, lighting, and presentation segments, aligning with the updated aesthetic. Honorees will be the first recipients of the new ribbon and medallion, which production staff indicate will be prominently displayed during the televised broadcast, scheduled for later this month on CBS.
The event will recognize notable figures in the entertainment industry, including KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, and Sylvester Stallone. The ceremony follows closely on the heels of Donald Trump hosting the FIFA World Cup Draw, where he received the newly created “FIFA Peace Prize.” This trophy, resembling golden hands supporting a globe, is now prominently displayed in the Oval Office.
As anticipation builds for this year’s ceremony, the chairman of the Kennedy Center has expressed optimism about the event’s reception, predicting it will be “the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done.” The redesigned medals represent not only a visual transformation but also a moment of reflection on the past and future of the prestigious Honors.