Authorized by the National Cultural Center Act of 1958, which requires that its programming be sustained through private funds, the center represents a public–private partnership.
So it sounds like the government pays for building maintenance, and donors pay for programming.
I remember reading a ?WaPo article saying that attendance was down to about 57%, with almost half the seats unfilled. And that was just from Trump taking control of the board, before the renaming. And that attendance was that low, despite staff having access to an unprecedented number of free tickets for family and friends and other giveaways. The article said that staff would close off the upper levels and relocate people to disguise half-filled houses, and that attendees were repeatedly encouraged to move closer to the stage.
And of course, since he stuck his name on it, things have only gotten worse, with many artists cancelling their performances. I suspect the closure is petty retaliation for all the artist cancellations.
Having read the announcement, it also sounds like he’s planning on tearing down the entire thing, and putting something hideous in it’s place. I’ve been there and the Kennedy Center has a quiet elegance; I have no doubt that anytime this uncultured bore makes will be tasteless, flashy, and built to the cheapest possible standards.
Yeah, I believe there has been a report of at least one completely empty performance. Additionally Philip Glass canceled his Premiere of his “Lincoln” symphony because "the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.” - Source
I think Trump is shutting it down to prevent more stories of how quickly he’s ruined this institution for the arts. Yet another loss for America.
I think Trump is shutting it down to prevent more stories of how quickly he’s ruined this institution for the arts.
Well, there’s that. Plus he fucking hates the OG Kennedys and how revered they are. Plus now he gets to destroy the building and grift the rebuilding. He sees it as all wins.
Per Wikipedia:
So it sounds like the government pays for building maintenance, and donors pay for programming.
I remember reading a ?WaPo article saying that attendance was down to about 57%, with almost half the seats unfilled. And that was just from Trump taking control of the board, before the renaming. And that attendance was that low, despite staff having access to an unprecedented number of free tickets for family and friends and other giveaways. The article said that staff would close off the upper levels and relocate people to disguise half-filled houses, and that attendees were repeatedly encouraged to move closer to the stage.
And of course, since he stuck his name on it, things have only gotten worse, with many artists cancelling their performances. I suspect the closure is petty retaliation for all the artist cancellations.
Having read the announcement, it also sounds like he’s planning on tearing down the entire thing, and putting something hideous in it’s place. I’ve been there and the Kennedy Center has a quiet elegance; I have no doubt that anytime this uncultured bore makes will be tasteless, flashy, and built to the cheapest possible standards.
Yeah, I believe there has been a report of at least one completely empty performance. Additionally Philip Glass canceled his Premiere of his “Lincoln” symphony because "the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.” - Source
I think Trump is shutting it down to prevent more stories of how quickly he’s ruined this institution for the arts. Yet another loss for America.
Well, there’s that. Plus he fucking hates the OG Kennedys and how revered they are. Plus now he gets to destroy the building and grift the rebuilding. He sees it as all wins.
My personal bet is that the Kennedy Center will soon be announced as the site of the upcoming Trump arch.
I thought of that, but he really wants it on the Mall itself.
Maybe the other end of the arch will be in the Mall. Never forget the extent of his megalomania.
And I thought I couldn’t love Philip Glass more than I already did. Fucking legend.
Fuck Trump and every asshat that’s enabling him.