The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is facing significant backlash following President Donald Trump's recent takeover, with multiple artists canceling performances and resigning from board positions. This cultural shift, marked by Trump's appointment of loyalists and his ascension to chairmanship, has sparked outrage and concern among the artistic community.
On February 19, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. (GMCW) announced the cancellation of their concert, which was scheduled as part of the Kennedy Center’s Pride celebration. Expressing their disappointment, the chorus emphasized the importance of music for education and community engagement. They remarked, "We believe in the power of music to educate and uplift, to Foster love, Understanding, and community. We regret this opportunity has been taken away.”
The backdrop to these developments includes Trump's recent decisions to replace the Kennedy Center's leadership, including making himself chairman of the board. Observers note the cancellations may reflect broader trends of restriction and bias against LGBTQ+ performances and voices amid the new regime. Jean Davidson, executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, stated the cancellation of the GMCW performance was made before Trump's leadership change, citing financial and scheduling challenges. The chorus, undeterred, intends to perform their planned piece at the June choral festival.
Several prominent artists have also stepped back from their planned engagements. Rhiannon Giddens, noted for her Grammy Award-winning performances, publicly shared on social media her reasoning for canceling her show at the Kennedy Center. She stated, "I cannot in good conscience play at The Kennedy Center with the change in programming direction forced on the institution by this new board.” Giddens will instead perform at another venue on the same date, reaffirming her dedication to artistic integrity.
Issa Rae similarly canceled her show at the Kennedy Center, voicing her concerns via social media. She remarked, "Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be infringement on the values of [the Kennedy Center], I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue.”
The ripple effects of Trump’s changes reach beyond individual artists, touching on broader themes concerning diversity and artistic freedom. Maya Roth, director of the theatre program at Georgetown University's performing arts department, expressed grave concerns over the impacts of this reshaping, emphasizing, "Democracy thrives on inclusion and diversity of voices; the arts are a way to connect across differences.”
Gisell Campos, co-president of GUPride, voiced fears about the long-term threats posed to LGBTQ+ artists. She remarked, "I fear we’re coming to a time where we might not be as publicly acknowledged,” highlighting the need for support within the arts community to combat potential marginalization.
Other artists have also followed suit. Ben Folds has resigned as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, and famous soprano Renée Fleming announced her decision to step down from the Kennedy Center’s advisory board. Fleming indicated her respect for the previous, bipartisan leadership and suggested the current direction does not reflect the spirit of what the institution has represented. Shonda Rhimes, known for her significant contributions to television, also resigned her position, citing the need for artists to have the freedom to pursue their visions.
Alongside these performances, the Kennedy Center also faced criticism for canceling the touring children's musical 'Finn,' which was centered on inclusion and diversity. The creators of the show expressed their heartbreak over the cancellation, noting, "While not a surprise...it is heartbreaking. But we will not be silenced...We didn’t ask for this joy bomb of a show to be part of the resistance, but here we are.”
This trend of cancellation and protest among artists signals more than just individual choices; it reflects deep cultural resistance to perceived censorship and the importance of diversity within arts programming.
Despite these challenges, the GMCW voiced its commitment to continuing advocacy for artistic expression, asserting, "We will continue to sing and raise our voices for equality.” They plan to perform the canceled piece during World Pride 2025.
Overall, these recent developments at the Kennedy Center underline the tensions between administration control over cultural institutions and the fighting spirit of artists dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The future of the Kennedy Center may hinge on its ability to regain its bipartisan heritage, ensuring it serves as a true representation of America’s artistic diversity.