Taylor, Jones receive US cultural honours

Singer James Taylor and music producer Quincy Jones are among the 2010 US National Medal of Arts recipients.

The duo, along with eight others including former poet laureate Donald Hall, were honoured on Wednesday at a White House ceremony conducted by President Barack Obama.

During the gala, Portnoy's Complaint writer Philip Roth and nine others were given the similarly prestigious National Humanities Medal, which is awarded to those credited with broadening Americans' understanding of the field of humanities.

In his address to the honourees, Obama pointed to both Taylor and Jones as artists who have shaped the public consciousness.

"One of the great joys of being president is getting a chance to pay tribute to the artists and authors, poets and performers who have touched our hearts and opened our minds," he said. "Or in the case of Quincy Jones and James Taylor, set the mood."

Two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep and To Kill A Mockingbird author Harper Lee were also among this year's National Medal of Arts recipients, but neither could attend this year's ceremony.

The prize was created by the US Congress in 1984, with previous honours going to stars including director Frank Capra, comedian Bob Hope and singer Bob Dylan.