Kennedy Center board agrees to close for 2 years for renovations – National

of Kennedy Centerthe board of directors voted unanimously on Monday to close the arts institution for two years so the site can undergo extensive renovations proposed by the US President Donald Trump.

The concert hall, which Trump recently renamed after himselfwill close after this year’s 4th of July celebrations. The news of its closure comes amid a wave of departures among the institution’s top executives and numerous concert cancellationsfollowing the president’s decision to honor his legacy in a building built in memory of former president John. F Kennedy after his assassination in 1963.

The Kennedy Center said its decision to close was unanimous, although Rep. Joyce Beatty did not cast a vote.

The Ohio Democrat is an ex officio member of the board and has sued to prevent the Trump administration from excluding her from Monday’s meeting. Over the weekend, a federal judge ruled that she had the right to attend the meeting, but did not require the board to allow her to vote.

Trump has cited the need for repairs as the reason for the closure, telling reporters on Monday, “We’re going to make sure it remains the best performing arts facility of its kind anywhere in the world.”

In one news releasethe center said the president had secured “$257 million from Congress to address decades of deferred maintenance.”

Trustees appoint new CEO after resignations, cancellations show

During the meeting, the board also elected Matt Floca as the new CEO and executive director, replacing Richard Grenell, who resigned last week after a tumultuous tenure marked by a steep decline in ticket sales, staff departures and artist cancellations.

Kevin Couch, former senior vice president of arts programming at the Kennedy Center, resigned in Januarytwo weeks after being appointed to the role. He did not give a reason why.

Grenell’s tenure as CEO and executive director was also eclipsed by allegations of questionable behavior, according to Trump.

The outgoing president of the Kennedy Center “was a little rough on some people,” the president told reporters Monday, adding that some artists booked to play the diverse concert hall “took a beating from Ric.”

During the board meeting, the president dismissed speculation that Grenell had been fired, saying, “You know there was a story that he was fired, he wasn’t fired. He was here for a short period of time, for a year.”

Grenell, a longtime ally of the president, held a number of senior posts during Trump’s first presidential term, including ambassador to Germany, special envoy to the Balkans and acting chief of national intelligence.

Grenell remains an envoy for special missions, including Venezuela and North Korea, and is said to be at odds with Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Venezuela policy. the New York Times reported.

Consequences of the arts community

Actor Issa Rae, musician Bela Fleck and author Louise Penny were among the artists who pulled out of appearances, while consultants such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned under Grenell.

Earlier in March, National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson left to head the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Incoming CEO Floca had served as vice president of operations, according to his LinkedIn page. He joined the Kennedy Center in January 2024 during the Biden administration.

Trump builds a hand-picked board

Shortly after returning to office last year, Trump fired the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with an elected board of trustees, who then named him chairman.

Currently, the board consists of the Chamber’s chief of staff Susie Wilesdirector of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, Second Lady Usha Vance, Allison Lutnick — wife of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — and Treasurer John Falconetti, a legacy Republican.

The center’s lineup has since included more Trump-friendly programming, including serving as the location for the premiere of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary. Melania.

The arts center was last renovated in 2019, according to New York Timesand underwent a $250 million expansion and hosts more than 2,000 shows, events and exhibitions annually, according to its website.

— With file from The Associated Press

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