Kennedy Center board votes to close for two years during renovations - The Guardian

The Guardian
March 16, 2026
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The Kennedy Center board voted to close for two years during renovations.

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The Kennedy Center board has voted to close the Washington D.C. performing arts venue for two years to undergo major renovations. The Kennedy Center, officially known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the nation's cultural center and hosts major theatrical, musical, and dance performances year-round. The extended closure will disrupt the Washington arts scene and force the relocation or cancellation of numerous scheduled productions and events. The renovations represent a significant infrastructure investment in the 53-year-old facility, which opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President Kennedy. The closure will affect thousands of performers, staff, and patrons who rely on the venue as a cornerstone of the capital's cultural offerings.

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