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As the Trump administration prepares to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation project, staff at Washington’s premier performing arts venue are bracing for significant workforce reductions. A memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals plans for “skeletal teams” to maintain operations during the closure period.
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell informed employees Tuesday that departments would “function on a much smaller scale” with some units “totally reduced or on hold” until preparations begin for a 2028 reopening. The memo promised “permanent or temporary adjustments for most everyone” as department heads evaluate staffing needs during the construction phase.
“We will provide as much clarity and advance notice as possible,” Grenell wrote to staff, acknowledging the uncertainty facing the center’s workforce. According to a 2025 tax filing, the Kennedy Center employed nearly 2,500 people during the 2023 calendar year, though it remains unclear how many currently work there.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close in early July, just five months after President Donald Trump announced the renovation plan. Details about the scope and nature of the renovations remain sparse, with neither Trump nor Grenell providing substantial evidence to support claims about the building being in disrepair. This lack of transparency has fueled concerns within Washington’s arts community.
The closure announcement represents a reversal from Trump’s October pledge that the center would remain open during renovations. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision in a statement Wednesday, saying: “Upon the completion of these upgrades, Americans and visitors from all over the world, for generations to come, will enjoy the Center and marvel at its spectacular features and design.”
The Kennedy Center has already experienced significant disruption since Trump returned to office. The administration ousted the center’s previous leadership team last year and controversially added Trump’s name to the building in December, rebranding it as the “Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.” These moves have prompted leading performers and arts groups to cancel appearances or sever ties with the institution.
Financial challenges have mounted in parallel with the leadership shakeup. The Washington Post reports substantial drops in ticket revenue, which along with private philanthropy comprises the center’s operating budget. Officials have not clarified whether signature programs like the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor or the Kennedy Center Honors will continue during the closure.
The uncertain future of these prestigious awards adds to concerns about the center’s cultural significance during the renovation period. The Kennedy Center Honors in particular has been a staple of American cultural celebration since 1978, recognizing lifetime artistic achievements across various disciplines.
The Kennedy Center’s history stretches back to the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s, when it was first conceived as a national cultural facility. President John F. Kennedy spearheaded fundraising efforts for the project, and following his assassination, the center was named in his honor. Since opening in 1971, it has served as a preeminent showcase for theater, music, and dramatic performances, generally enjoying bipartisan support until recent political tensions.
In his memo, Grenell attempted to frame the renovation and accompanying disruption as necessary for the institution’s long-term health. “This renovation represents a generational investment in our future,” he wrote. “When we reopen, we will do so as a stronger organization — one that honors our legacy while expanding our impact.”
The Kennedy Center’s closure represents one of the most significant disruptions to Washington’s cultural landscape in decades and raises questions about the future direction of one of America’s most prominent arts institutions under the current administration.
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13 Comments
It’s understandable that the Kennedy Center would need to downsize staff during this closure and renovation period. Hopefully they can retain a skilled core team to maintain operations and prepare for the eventual reopening.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific renovations planned for the Kennedy Center. What areas will be upgraded, and how will that impact the overall visitor experience once it reopens?
Good question. The article doesn’t provide many details on the renovation scope. I’d be interested to see if they plan any significant changes to improve accessibility or modernize the facilities.
It’s unfortunate that the Kennedy Center will have to operate with ‘skeletal’ staffing during this closure period. I hope they’re able to maintain a core team to keep the center functioning, even if on a reduced scale.
Yes, it’s a delicate balance they’ll have to strike. Retaining key personnel while right-sizing the workforce for the construction phase will be crucial.
The Kennedy Center is such an important cultural institution. I hope they’re able to weather this transition period and come out stronger on the other side. Losing nearly 2,500 jobs is a major blow, though.
Agreed, that’s a significant number of jobs at risk. The center will need to carefully manage the staffing reductions to minimize disruptions as much as possible.
Renovating a major performing arts venue like the Kennedy Center is no easy feat. I’m curious to see what changes they implement and how it impacts the overall visitor experience in the long run.
Interesting to see the Kennedy Center facing staffing cuts and ‘skeletal’ operations during its upcoming renovation. I wonder how this will impact the center’s programming and community outreach efforts in the interim.
Yes, it’s a challenging situation. I hope they are able to maintain a core team to keep the center running, even if on a reduced scale, during the construction phase.
The Kennedy Center is such an important cultural hub. I’m hopeful the renovations will enhance the visitor experience, even if it means some short-term disruptions and staffing cuts.
The Kennedy Center is such an iconic arts institution. It’s unfortunate they’ll have to scale back staffing, but necessary to facilitate the planned renovations. Hopefully the end result will be worth the short-term disruptions.
Agreed. Major construction projects often require tough tradeoffs, but the long-term benefits can make it worthwhile if executed well.