The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is facing a potential shutdown as its board considers measures to address what officials describe as an imminent financial crisis.
Documents circulated ahead of a special board meeting Tuesday warn that the Washington cultural institution could face bankruptcy and possible closure unless it secures additional financial support.
The center’s leadership has described the situation as a potential “fiscal collapse” and is considering major changes to its operations and fundraising strategy.
President Donald Trump, who took control of the Kennedy Center board earlier this year, has appointed allies to its leadership. The board is now considering proposals that could reshape the institution’s finances and identity.
Among the proposals under consideration is attaching Trump’s name to the center as part of an effort to strengthen fundraising. Documents obtained by The Washington Post say leaders believe Trump’s involvement could help attract financial support.
The center is also dealing with physical problems affecting parts of the building, including deterioration and corrosion that officials say threaten some of its facilities. A major renovation has been proposed as part of a broader effort to stabilize the institution.
The crisis comes after months of political upheaval at the Kennedy Center. Trump became chairman of the board after replacing members appointed under the previous administration, giving his allies control over the institution.
The center has long relied on a combination of ticket revenue, private donations and federal support to maintain its operations.
The board’s Tuesday meeting could determine whether the Kennedy Center remains open under its current structure or begins a major restructuring.
Any decision to close or radically alter the institution would carry significance beyond its finances, given the Kennedy Center’s status as one of the country’s most prominent national cultural institutions.
