Kennedy Center board votes to close for two years during renovations

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Mon 16 Mar 2026 16.16 EDT
Last modified on Mon 16 Mar 2026 16.18 EDT


The Kennedy Center board of trustees unanimously voted on Monday in favor of a controversial plan to temporarily shutter the arts institution for renovations, rubber-stamping a $257m project initiated by Donald Trump to remake the arts institution in line with other grand plans for Washington DC.

In a statement, the center said it had voted for “a comprehensive revitalization project” lasting two years that would follow an Independence Day celebration in July with “a grand re-opening to follow”.

The notice added that the board’s decision to pause operations would “allow for the most comprehensive and efficient renovation effort, setting the stage for a revitalized national cultural and entertainment complex for all Americans to enjoy”.

“From day one, our mission was to make the Trump Kennedy Center a place every American could be proud of, and this renovation is the fulfillment of that promise,” outgoing president Richard Grenell said in the statement. “What comes next will be worth the wait.” Earlier Monday, as the meeting of trustees began, Trump said: “You have to close it.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/16/kennedy-center-closing-renovation-trump