Kennedy Center to Close for 2 Years for Renovation, Trump Says
Kennedy Center to Close for 2 Years for Renovation, Trump Says
The Kennedy Center will shut its doors for two years to undergo a major renovation, announced by President Trump amid controversy over its renamed status and board changes.
President Donald Trump announced that the Kennedy Center in Washington will close for a two-year renovation starting in July. He said the center would close on July 4 to mark the 250th anniversary of the country and described the renovation as a move to deliver a 'scheduled grand reopening' and a facility of the highest quality, noting that the project has been financed and that closing now would prevent longer delays due to ongoing events.
The president's actions followed a controversial renaming of the venue to the Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts last December, after Trump filled the board with allies and was named chairman. New signage appeared on the exterior the next day. The shift coincided with several artists cancelling performances in the weeks after the name change, including Wicked composer Steven Schwartz and a group called Doug Varone and the Dancers. The center also hosted a premiere screening of a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump in recent days.
Trump has long pressed for renovation funding and had lobbied Congress to allocate more than $250 million to rebuild the center. Supporters say the upgrades will position the venue as one of the finest performing arts facilities anywhere, while critics argue that the name change and control of the board overshadow the arts with politics. The two-year closure raises questions about schedules for fans and performers, but organizers say the two-year timeline is necessary for a comprehensive revamp and a proper reopening.
