Washington's iconic Kennedy Center will close its doors for two years starting in July as part of a major renovation plan announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday.
The president, who chairs the center's board of trustees, made the announcement via social media, stating that the move is necessary to transform the venue into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment." However, his assertion has been met with skepticism from the performing arts community, which has seen several high-profile cancellations since Trump took over.
The latest victim was composer Philip Glass, who withdrew his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" after expressing concerns that the center's current values are at odds with the piece's message. The Washington National Opera also announced earlier this month that it will be moving its performances away from the Kennedy Center in response to Trump's leadership.
Despite Trump's claims of a need for renovation, critics argue that the center has been struggling financially and structurally for years, rather than being "tired, broken, and dilapidated" as he put it. The board of trustees, which Trump has stacked with his allies, will now need to approve the proposal.
As the arts community grapples with the implications of Trump's plan, the Kennedy Center is poised to become a highly politicized venue, raising questions about its ability to remain a neutral platform for artistic expression.
The president, who chairs the center's board of trustees, made the announcement via social media, stating that the move is necessary to transform the venue into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment." However, his assertion has been met with skepticism from the performing arts community, which has seen several high-profile cancellations since Trump took over.
The latest victim was composer Philip Glass, who withdrew his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" after expressing concerns that the center's current values are at odds with the piece's message. The Washington National Opera also announced earlier this month that it will be moving its performances away from the Kennedy Center in response to Trump's leadership.
Despite Trump's claims of a need for renovation, critics argue that the center has been struggling financially and structurally for years, rather than being "tired, broken, and dilapidated" as he put it. The board of trustees, which Trump has stacked with his allies, will now need to approve the proposal.
As the arts community grapples with the implications of Trump's plan, the Kennedy Center is poised to become a highly politicized venue, raising questions about its ability to remain a neutral platform for artistic expression.
and i heard the opera company is movin away from there too which is like a huge loss for arts in dc 
im all about supporting our local artists but this feels like trumps own personal playground and its making me super anxious about what the future holds 
It's not like the center is struggling or anything... sounds like a classic case of him trying to cram his own agenda down everyone's throat. And what about all those artists who already had to leave because they disagreed with him? I mean, come on, can't we just have some decent arts programming for once without it being a total politicized mess? 
but at the same time u gotta wonder what's really behind trump's motives here - is he just trying to make a name for himself or is there something more going on? either way, i hope they can make it work and the kennedy center stays true to its purpose 
and what really hurts me is that philip glass was one of those artists who spoke out against trump's statement, he must be really disappointed 
. and its not like its an old venue or sumthin, its still pretty young. i no trump thinks hes transformin it into somethin new, but honestly, i think he's just tryna use it 4 his own propaganda 4 arts & entertainment. newsflash dont try 2 spin this as a "world class bastion" when u r basically closin it down 4 good 