In 1997, Arturo Rogero Luz was named the seventh National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting).

Before Luz, the first painter to receive the National Artist award was Fernando Amorsolo (1972), Victorio Edades (1976), Vicente Manansala (1981), Cesar Legaspi (1990) and H.R. Ocampo (1991). In the Philippines, the National Artist award is one of the most prestigious accolades that is bestowed on luminaries of the arts and culture. The honor is comparable to a knighthood in a European country, but nonetheless only one of the endless recognitions conferred on the highly talented and much respected Luz.