Over the past week, the current White House administration has made a hostile take-over of the Kennedy Center by ousting over half of the board members and the President of the Center.
In its wake, artists have responded with cancelling performances and resigning from administrative positions. D.C. residents have also gathered outside the Kennedy Center to protest the moves.
The Kennedy Center board has always been comprised of 36 members – 18 from each party. But after the ousting of the 18 Democratic board members, the new composition is comprised completely of not just Republicans but loyalists to the current administration including the Chief of Staff and the wife of the vice-president.
Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter had announced earlier this year that she would step down at the end of the year. Rutter was one of the victims of the take over and ousted last week.
To date actor Issa Rae and the rock and soul band Low Cut Connie have cancelled their performances. Rae’s performance was sold out. The LGBTQ Pride concert has also been cancelled.
Artist advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra Ben Folds and artistic advisor for the Kennedy Center Renee Fleming have both resigned their positions.
Actor and board treasurer Shonda Rhimes has also resigned.
Low Cut Connie founder Adam Weiner posted on social media, “I was very excited to perform as part of this wonderful institution’s Social Impact series, which emphasizes community, joy, justice and equity through the arts. Upon learning that this institution that has run nonpartisan for 54 years is now chaired by President Trump himself and his regime, I decided I will not perform there.”
Issa Rae also responded via social media saying, “unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue.”
In a statement soprano Renee Fleming said, “I’ve treasured the bipartisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best. I hope the Kennedy Center continues to flourish and serve the passionate and diverse audience in our nation’s capital and across the country.”
The take over stemmed from two drag show performances at the Kennedy Center.
After being voted as the chairman by the new board, POTUS said, “it is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
New board members include:
Usha Vance, second lady of the United States
Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff
Cheri Summerall, Wiles’s mother
Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff for national security
Sergio Gor, White House director of presidential personnel
Allison Lutnick, wife of commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick
Pamela Gross, former White House adviser to the first lady
Patricia Duggan, major Trump donor
Emily May Fanjul, wife of sugar magnate and Trump donor Pepe Fanjul
Dana Blumberg, wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft
Mindy Levine, wife of New York Yankees president Randy Levine
Richard Grenell, former ambassador to Germany and former acting director of national intelligence has been named president in the wake of Rutter’s firing.
What a sad situation. I sincerely doubt whether POTUS understands how the public-private partnership works, or that one of the main functions of the board, and especially the chairman, is fundraising. I fear that this will scare off the major donors. The tech bros aren’t known for their support of the arts. I truly fear for the future of the Kennedy Center.
It’s a mess for sure.
In FL DeSantis is trying to take over a museum on the Florida State campus.