On Sunday night, President Trump announced plans to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in July for two years of “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding,” saying the goal is to create “the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World.” The timing surprised many in Washington and the arts community and coincided with the Grammy Awards.
Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, sent staff a memo saying the center recognizes the announcement raises many questions and that more information about staffing and operations will be provided in coming days. In a public post he said he is confident the move “sets the stage for a stronger, revitalized National Cultural and Entertainment Complex.” NPR has sought comment from the Kennedy Center and has not yet received a reply.
Key questions raised by the announcement include:
Wouldn’t Congress have to approve this?
– The Kennedy Center’s charter identifies it as a living memorial to President Kennedy and sets out its mission to preserve and foster the performing arts. Congress has not acted on the renaming of the complex that was announced in December.
What happens to organizations, performers and unions with existing contracts?
– Long-running shows such as Shear Madness are booked through October. Unions and staff contracts — including those covering the National Symphony Orchestra, whose current contract is expiring — and backstage and education personnel could be affected.
What is the president’s vision for the complex?
– Historically, disciplines like opera, classical music and dance have not been a priority for Trump. It is unclear whether a “complete rebuilding” would preserve space and programming for these traditional performing-arts forms.
Where will the National Symphony go?
– The National Symphony has seen falling ticket sales this year. Closing the venue could affect its financial and operational relationship with the Kennedy Center.
Why was July 4 chosen as the closing date?
– July is in the middle of the Kennedy Center’s musical-theater season, which this year includes touring productions such as The Outsiders, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Back to the Future: The Musical, along with children’s shows. The fate of that season is uncertain.
Why now?
– The Kennedy Center was expanded and renovated in 2019, and while the facility is old and needs maintenance, specifics about what was not addressed then are unclear. A source close to the center says Trump has shown interest in features like marble armrests for main-theater seats — a change critics say could alter acoustics.
What happens to artworks and historical artifacts?
– The center houses treasured items, including a famed bust of JFK and gifts from other countries. Questions remain about preservation and disposition of these pieces. Critics point to past actions by Trump and recent demolitions that concerned preservationists.
Will the complex remain tied to JFK’s name and legacy?
– Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, reacted on social media suggesting the change threatens the center’s association with Kennedy and urging opposition.
NPR is seeking answers to these and other questions. Readers are invited to submit questions they would like NPR to pursue about the proposed renovations and the announced closing.