For several decades, the Kennedy Center has emerged as an emblem of expressive freedom, inclusive representation, and boundless creativity within the realm of performing arts. Since its inception in 1971, when it opened its doors as a multifaceted arts complex and a living tribute to President John F. Kennedy, it has been adorned by performers from across the globe, enchanting audiences through dance, theater, music, and beyond. As an institution partially funded by the federal government, it has historically garnered bipartisan support, with no sitting president ever assuming the role of its chairman – until the unprecedented occurrence of President Donald Trump's election to this position by a board that excluded the 18 Democratic appointees whom the president had dismissed after outlining an ambitious plan to redefine the center's programming. Last month, he boldly declared to reporters, "We'll ensure it's excellent and free from woke ideology. This country won't tolerate woke culture anymore."
This bold move prompted Jeffrey Seller, the producer of the renowned musical "Hamilton," to rescind the show's scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center until 2026. In a statement posted on Wednesday to the musical's official page, Seller condemned Trump's "purge" of Kennedy Center staff and events, asserting that it "contradicts the very essence of what this national center stands for." He further added, "We cannot, in good conscience, support an institution compelled by external forces to abandon its mission as a national cultural hub fostering the free artistic expression of America."
Other artists, such as Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds, have also resigned from their leadership positions or canceled events at the venue, while the center itself has scrapped performances, including the children's musical "Finn." However, "Hamilton's" withdrawal stands as one of the most prominent examples of a show distancing itself while directly referencing Trump's sweeping changes.
Deborah Rutter, the former president of the Kennedy Center who was replaced last month by Richard Grenell, a long-time Trump confidant, embarked on her tenure in 2014 with a clear directive to ensure the center represented the entirety of America. Although she refrained from predicting the outcome of Trump's leadership, she told CNN's Jake Tapper in a recent interview, "From my experience in nurturing and supporting artists, they require a conducive environment for their work. They must feel secure and welcomed."
The concept of a national cultural center was originally conceived by President Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican who, in the mid-1950s, recognized the desire to establish an arts center in America akin to those he admired in Europe. In 1958, Eisenhower signed the National Cultural Center Act, marking a historic moment where the government funded a structure dedicated to the arts. President Kennedy, upon taking office in 1961, continued Eisenhower's efforts, viewing the performing arts as crucial to the nation's well-being. During a 1962 fundraising event for the cultural center, Kennedy proclaimed, "I see little of greater importance to the future of our country and our civilization than fully acknowledging the role of artists."
Following Kennedy's assassination in 1963, the National Cultural Center was renamed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in his honor. As a living memorial, it receives partial government funding for maintenance and operation but relies on private donations and ticket sales for its programming. President Lyndon B. Johnson initiated the groundbreaking ceremony at the center's construction site on December 3, 1964, just a year after Kennedy's passing. The result was a breathtaking Edward Durell Stone-designed structure, crafted from white marble, perched gracefully along the shore of the Potomac River.
"It's a sanctuary where you can witness new art and ideas, immersed in the communal spirit that art cultivates," shared Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, Kennedy's granddaughter, during an interview with "CBS This Morning" in 2022. "I believe it's a fitting tribute to my grandfather." Michelle Mulitz, the daughter of philanthropists and financial supporters of the Kennedy Center, Shelley and the late Thomas Mulitz, told CNN that her parents always encouraged her and her siblings to engage with the arts. For Mulitz, the Kennedy Center was a sanctuary where she felt liberated to explore and express herself artistically.
"They were avid attendees of social gatherings where art was an inseparable component," she recounted. "This passion was something they instilled in us, emphasizing the importance of exposing ourselves to all forms of artistic expressions." Mulitz, herself an accomplished artist with a background as an actress and designer, now shares her life with her husband, actor Ben Feldman, and their two children. As both a observer and a practicing artist, she harbors both hope and apprehension regarding the Kennedy Center's future under its new leadership.
"The strength and vibrancy of the artist and creative communities should never be underestimated," she emphasized. "Culture is in a state of transformation." The Kennedy Center's inaugural gala in 1971 was a memorable affair, featuring Leonard Bernstein's production of "Mass," which integrated various choruses, Alvin Ailey's dance troupe, a marching band, and a rock ensemble. President Richard Nixon chose to absent himself from this groundbreaking event, which was deemed controversial due to its anti-establishment and anti-war themes against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and other socio-political tensions. Nevertheless, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis-commissioned production successfully premiered to honor her late husband.
In the decades since, the Kennedy Center has staged tens of thousands of performances encompassing all facets of the performing arts, including ballet, opera, theater, comedy, and dance. It is also the home of the National Symphony Orchestra. Today, the Kennedy Center is perhaps most renowned for hosting the Kennedy Center Honors, which celebrates the lifelong achievements of artists from diverse backgrounds. Since its inception in 1978, the annual ceremony has honored luminaries ranging from Paul McCartney and Lucille Ball to Alvin Ailey.
Presidents from both political parties have often set aside politics to attend the Kennedy Center Honors, embracing moments of levity. However, this tradition was disrupted during Trump's first term when he skipped the 2017 ceremony, citing his desire to avoid being a "political distraction."
Throughout the years, the Kennedy Center has hosted numerous festivals celebrating global art, such as the 2009 "Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World" festival, which marked an unprecedented exploration of Arab culture. "I believe that peace stems from understanding," Michael Kaiser, the then-president of the Kennedy Center, shared in an interview with PBS about the festival. "If we gain a deeper and more educated perspective of others, we can pave the way for peace."
Under Rutter's stewardship, she embraced Kaiser's philosophy by appointing Marc Bamuthi Joseph as the center's inaugural VP and artistic director for social impact, initiating the center's first hip-hop culture program, and ensuring that its doors remained open to artists from around the globe. "Artists serve as a mirror reflecting our society's true essence," Rutter noted. "They are the ones who narrate our stories. If we uphold the American value of freedom of expression, artists will courageously tell those stories."
