The Kennedy Center has been in the news over the past year almost as much as the White House administration due to a hostile takeover and numerous cancellations.
It was that very administration that surprisingly announced on Sunday that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts would be closing in July for a two year renovation project.
The news came as a complete surprise to those who work at the Kennedy Center who learned of the impending closure via a Truth Social post.
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell sent the post to employees along with a not of his own saying, “we recognize this creates many questions as we plan to temporarily close most of our operations. We will have more information about staffing and operational changes in the coming days.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, some of the board members said that they were “blindsided” by the news.
Among the numerous questions floating around after the news are, “who knew this was happening? What would happen to shows that have already been scheduled? Who could lose their jobs? Will the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize continue? How do the center’s many unions come into play? What, exactly, is the construction project?
The White House told reporters, “I’m not ripping it down. I’ll be using the steel. So we’re using the structure, we’re using some of the marble and some of the marble comes down, but when it’s open, it’ll be brand-new and really beautiful.” Currently, the renovation is estimated at $200 million.
According to Kennedy Center vice president of public relations Roma Daravi the renovation will focus on, “HVAC repairs, structural issues, plumbing, electrical and fire protection among other priorities.”
She added, “many experts offered their input and many conversations were had to consider the option of staying open during renovations.”
The Kennedy Center calendar has a number of dates booked after the supposed close date including national tours of “The Outsiders”, “Mrs. doubtfire”, and “Back to the Future”; leaving an uncertain future for all involved.
Such Broadway show tours are planned months, even years in advance and any changes to the schedule can cause severe financial difficulty; even collapse.
NSO chair Joan Bialek and executive director Jean Davidson reported that the Kennedy Center, “has confirmed to us that the National Symphony Orchestra will continue to receive all of its funding under its affiliation agreement and that they will work with us to find alternative performance venues for the next two seasons.”
A Kennedy Center staff member noted, “the building is not falling apart or condemnable; there’s no reason ‘repairs’ couldn’t be done while still keeping portions of it open for performances. A two-year shutdown under the guise of ‘renovations’ raises serious questions about motives and whether these decisions are being made in good faith.”
Another staff member added, “The Kennedy Center is not closing because of any structural necessity. The situation is far simpler: This is a self-inflicted crisis created by Trump and Ric Grenell, for which they bear full responsibility.”
A number of groups are currently suing The Kennedy Center including Representative Joyce Beatty; their representatives Norm Eisen and Nathaniel Zelinsky issued a statement saying the announcement, “raises serious questions about whether his purpose isn’t to renovate but to shut the Center down to avoid further embarrassment of artist and patron boycotts.”
An official representing the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra noted, orchestras are not like buildings. You can’t simply close them down for two years and expect that you can open them up again. They’re living organisms in a way,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak for the organization, D.C. Federation of Musicians AFM Local 161-710.
Grenell took to social media calling the renovation, “visionary” and noted the $257 million appropriated from the One Big Beautiful Bill as maintenance for the building.
He added, “it desperately needs this renovation and temporarily closing the Center just makes sense.
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued a statement saying, “as President Trump continues his demolition tour of Washington, he’s now setting his sights on one of America’s great cultural institutions. … If he succeeds, it will be because of a series of suspect and illegal actions to commandeer the Kennedy Center as a clubhouse for his friends and political allies and install leadership who will satisfy his every whim.”
While the announcement of impending closure of The Kennedy Center came as a surprise on Sunday, there have been rumours for months of a closure as a stop-gap measure to “stop the press coverage of declining ticket sales and artists boycotts.”
The senior vice president of artistic programming Kevin Couch who resigned last week after less than two weeks on the job was also surprised saying, “I resigned without knowledge of any plans to close the Kennedy Center and hope the institution uses this moment to refocus on its mission and support of artists.”
In the wake of the closure news the Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Musical Artists, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society – all who routinely work at the Kennedy Center – have issued a statement about the news calling it “harmful for the arts and creative workers in America.” Adding that they were given no formal notice.
The statement also said, “we will enforce our contracts and exercise all our rights under the law. We expect continued fair pay, enforceable worker protections, and accountability for our members in the event they cannot work due to an operational pause.”
The White House administration calls the Kennedy Center, “tired, broken, and dilapidated.”
However, artists who have worked at the iconic venue have issues over the statement. Actor Patrick Page simply said, “the President is lying. I have performed at the Kennedy Center many times and attended shows there recently. It is gorgeous and in fine shape—both out front and backstage. It is one of the best venues in the country … There is no need for renovations, no need for closure. It’s a scam and a shame.”
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement, “[Trump] illegally slapped his own name on the living memorial to President Kennedy, literally silencing Trustees who tried to speak up against it. Now, with his hostile takeover leading to artists’ withdrawals and declining ticket sales, he is covering up his failures by shuttering a national landmark that belongs to the American people—and he’s announcing it as a fait accompli before input from the Board, Congress, and others, as law and precedent dictate.”
The Kennedy Center is the latest “construction” project of the current administration. Before even going through the proper channels for approval, the entire East Wing of the White House was demolished to make room for a ballroom; after promising NOT to demolish the building. The White House claims it is essential for “national security”.