Kennedy Center board approves Trump's plans to close venue for two years for renovations

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will close for two years following this summer’s July 4 celebrations, after the center’s board of directors voted Monday to suspend operations. The decision comes amid a wave of resignations , performance cancellations, and controversy over the center’s direction under President Donald J. Trump . Officials said the closure will allow for extensive renovations and ensure the center “remains the finest performing arts facility of its kind anywhere in the world.”

Trump, speaking before the board convened at the White House, emphasized that the hiatus is necessary to address structural issues. The board also unanimously appointed Matt Floca as the new CEO and executive director , replacing Richard Grenell , a Trump ally whose leadership sparked backlash from artists and worsened financial strain. Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex officio member, attended the meeting but did not cast a vote after a federal judge ruled she could participate without voting rights.

The move reflects the dramatic reshaping of the Kennedy Center since early 2025, when Trump dismissed its previous leadership, installed a board largely composed of allies, and assumed the chairmanship. Programming shifted to include more Trump-aligned content , such as hosting the premiere of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary Melania . The board controversially added Trump’s name to the building, renaming it the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts , a step critics say exceeds legal authority.

The arts community reacted strongly, with prominent artists like Issa Rae, Béla Fleck, and Louise Penny withdrawing from scheduled appearances. Consultants including Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned, and Jean Davidson, executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, left to lead the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Critics also point to declining ticket sales and audience engagement under the center’s new leadership, challenging Trump’s claims of structural deterioration.

Floca, formerly vice president of operations, will oversee the closure and renovations. With a background in facilities management and construction management , he has previously held roles in the District of Columbia government, including director of facilities management and associate director of sustainability and energy. He earned a Bachelor of Science in construction management from Louisiana State University in 2009.

The Kennedy Center, founded by Congress as the nation’s premier cultural institution, has long served millions of visitors annually. Its closure under the current leadership has sparked debate over the influence of political interference in arts organizations and the future of publicly supported cultural institutions in the United States.