Roberts & Tilton, one of the galleries that represents African-American portrait-painter Kehinde Wiley has confirmed that the artist will be receiving the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts.

According to Art News,

First awarded in 2012, the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts is given to artists for their commitment to Art in Embassies, a diplomatic program that encourages U.S. artists to go abroad and work with other artists. For AIE’s latest project, set to happen in 2017, Jenny Holzer will make a collaborative sculpture at the U.S. Embassy in London.

The award is one of many major milestones for the artist, who is considered one of hip-hop’s favorite artists. One of his large-scale portraits recently made an appearance in the premiere episode of the hit FOX show Empire.

Wiley’s first museum survey opens at the Brooklyn Museum in February.

Kehinde Wiley Paints The Women of Haiti.

Watch Now. Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace. Fashion. Art. Portraits.