Steven Spielberg receives Kennedy Center Honors

Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has been named as one of the recipients of the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors, being held in December.

Also being recognized are Grammy winner Dolly Parton, composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, musician Smokey Robinson and conductor Zubin Mehta. The Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees chose the recipients. Meryl Streep and Adrien Brody were among the stars in a committee that also helped select the honorees.

"This year, we honor five extraordinary international artists whose abundant contributions to their fields are remarkable," said Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman of the Kennedy Center. "They have transformed the culture of our country and of the world."

The festivities begin Dec. 2 with a State Department dinner. A meet-and-greet with the president will be held the next day, followed by a high-profile gala at the Kennedy Center.