On Sunday evening in Washington, Joe and Jill Biden went to the Kennedy Center Honors to honor five individuals and groups for their artistic achievements.

In 2021, the president and first lady donned masks for the first time to attend the annual event in their current offices. The Bidens’ predecessors, Donald and Melania Trump skipped the event, which the president typically attends.)

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented awards to George Clooney, an actor and human rights activist, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, composer and conductor Tania León, and the Irish band U2.

“Growing up in a small town in Kentucky I could never have imagined that someday I’d be the one sitting in the balcony at the Kennedy Center Honors. To be mentioned in the same breath with the rest of these incredible artists is an honor. This is a genuinely exciting surprise for the whole Clooney family,” Clooney said in a statement on the Kennedy Center’s website.

The event on Sunday night was also scheduled to be attended by second gentleman Doug Emhoff and vice president Kamala Harris.

Following the couple’s welcoming of French President Emmanuel Macron for a state visit last week, the Bidens made an appearance. To meet Prince William at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the president also went to Boston.

Artists are recognized by the center each year for their contributions to American culture. In 2021, “Saturday Night Live” showrunner Lorne Michaels, singer Joni Mitchell, and actress Bette Midler were honored.

The celebration frequently attracts prominent figures from Hollywood and Washington politics to the Potomac River-front Kennedy Center in the nation’s capital.

In July, the names of this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees were released.

The ceremony aims to raise money for the Kennedy Center, which puts on a variety of shows throughout the year, in addition to recognizing the artistic talents and contributions of the recipients.