Kennedy Center to Close for Two Years

The Kennedy Center will shut down for two years starting after this summer's July 4 celebrations following widespread resignations and cancellations during President Donald Trump's second term. The board of directors voted on Monday to close operations, citing the need for repairs as a reason for the closure.

President Trump told reporters at the White House before the board met that 'We're going to ensure it remains the finest performing arts facility of its kind anywhere in the world.' The board also voted unanimously to install Matt Floca as CEO and executive director, replacing Richard Grenell, a Trump ally who oversaw significant changes at the venue.

Grenell's tenure prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated financial challenges. According to CBS News, Grenell has called some of the artists who canceled their shows 'far-left political activists' who 'were booked by the previous far-left leadership.' Trump praised Grenell on Monday, saying he had been a longtime friend, and wished Floca 'good luck with everything.'

The Kennedy Center said the vote was unanimous, though Rep. Joyce Beatty didn’t cast a vote. The Ohio Democrat is an ex officio member of the board and sued to preclude the Trump administration from excluding her from Monday’s meeting. Over the weekend, a federal judge ruled she was entitled to participate in the meeting but didn’t require that the board allow her to vote.

Shortly after returning to office last year, Mr. Trump ousted the center's previous leadership and replaced it with a hand-picked board of trustees that named him chairman. He also brought in Grenell, who served in a variety of capacities during Trump's first term. The center's lineup has since included more Trump-friendly programming, including serving as the venue for the premiere of first lady Melania Trump’s documentary, 'Melania.' The board also announced it had renamed the facility to include Mr. Trump's name, a change scholars and lawmakers say must be initiated by Congress, and physically added the president's name to the building's facade.

The fallout from the arts community was swift and intense. Actor Issa Rae, musician Bela Fleck and author Louise Penny were among the numerous artists who withdrew from appearances since last year, while consultants such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned. Earlier this month, the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, Jean Davidson, left to head the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Without mentioning the abandoned performances, Trump said in February he would close the Kennedy Center to fix what he has described as a dilapidated building. Ahead of the closure, Grenell warned staff about impending cuts that will leave 'skeletal teams.' Floca, Grenell’s successor, had been serving as vice president of operations.