""The REACH Expansion of the Kennedy Center, which opened in 2019 under the direction of Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein, is a much loved and needed facility for the practice of artists in all cultural activities. We hope they will allow it to remain open if they are closing the main building. As a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Center was the soul of culture in Washington DC... its manipulation today is absurd," Holl writes."
"Both Rutter, the former president of the Kennedy Center, and Rubenstein, its former board chair, were ousted from the organization in February 2025 by Trump, along with half of the board. His appointed replacements then elected him the new chair. In the months since, the Kennedy Center has become increasingly politicized. Trump had his own name added to the facade of the building. Meanwhile, a long line of artists have cancelled planned performances, audiences have shrunk, and notable officials have resigned."
""When President Donald Trump announced on social media February 1 that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. would close for two years of "construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding," many observers were dismayed that the politicization of the center has gone this far. Among them is famed architect Steven Holl whose firm Steven Holl Architects designed a $250 million expansion of the Kennedy Center called the REACH that opened less than seven years ago.""
President Donald Trump announced on social media February 1 that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. would close for two years for "construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding." The REACH expansion opened in 2019 and was designed by Steven Holl Architects at a cost of $250 million. Steven Holl expressed skepticism and urged that the REACH remain open if the main building closes. Trump ousted Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein and half the board in February 2025, appointed replacements who elected him chair, then added his own name to the facade. Artists have canceled performances, audiences have shrunk, and officials have resigned.
Read at Fast Company
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