Kennedy Center Chief Warns of Staff Cuts Ahead of Two-Year Closure for Renovations

By Emmanuel Bobby

As the Trump administration prepares to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation, the head of the Washington performing arts venue has warned staff that significant workforce reductions are coming, leaving behind only “skeletal teams.”

In a memo to employees, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell said departments will operate on a much smaller scale during the closure, with some units entirely paused until preparations begin for reopening in 2028. He indicated that most employees should expect permanent or temporary job adjustments and said department heads will soon determine staffing needs during the shutdown period.

The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close in early July, though details about the renovation plan remain limited since President Donald Trump announced the project in early February. Trump had previously said the center would remain open during renovations, and neither he nor Grenell has publicly provided evidence supporting claims that the building is in disrepair.

The White House said the upgrades will allow future generations of visitors to enjoy the center’s design and facilities. However, the scope of job losses remains unclear. A recent tax filing showed the center employed nearly 2,500 people in 2023.

The closure comes amid ongoing turmoil at the institution. Several performers and organizations have canceled appearances since Trump replaced the center’s leadership and added his name to the building. Reports have also cited declines in ticket revenue, raising questions about how the center will sustain its operations and whether major events such as the Mark Twain Award and annual honors ceremony will continue during the shutdown.

The Kennedy Center was conceived in the 1950s and opened in 1971, becoming a major national venue for theater, music, and the performing arts with longstanding bipartisan support. Grenell described the renovation as a long-term investment, saying the center aims to reopen stronger while honoring its cultural legacy.