People's Artist of the Russian Federation

It succeeded both the all-Soviet Union "People's Artist of the USSR" award, and more directly the local republic's "People's Artist of the RSFSR" award, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Now, the status of the People's Artist of the Russian Federation has risen above that of the earlier RSFSR award.

There are presently two levels to this award:

• The lower Honored Artist of Russia also translates as "Meritorious Artist". This was equivalent to the earlier Honored Artist of the RSFSR, which became Merited Artist of the Russian Federation.

• The higher People's Artist of Russia is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation for outstanding achievements in the field of theater, music, circus, vaudeville and film art.