The Kennedy Center votes to close operations for two years and appoints a new president

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center board voted Monday to close operations for two years following July 4 celebrations this summer. The widely expected decision follows several resignations and cancellations during President Donald Trump’s second term, although Trump himself cited the need for reforms as the reason for the closure.

“We will work to ensure that it remains the best performing arts facility of its kind anywhere in the world,” Trump told reporters at the White House before Monday’s board meeting.

He watches: Trump “strongly” encourages other countries to help the United States protect the Strait of Hormuz

The board also voted to name Matt Floca as CEO and CEO, replacing Trump ally Richard Grenell, who oversaw far-reaching changes to the venue that sparked protest from many artists and exacerbated the operation’s financial challenges. Trump paid tribute to Grenell on Monday, saying he was an old friend, and wished Flucca “good luck in everything.”

Over the weekend, a federal judge ruled that a Democratic representative was entitled to participate in the meeting. But the judge did not ask the chamber to allow a vote for Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of Congress. Beatty was present during Monday’s meeting.

He watches: ‘We can’t have arts institutions losing money’: Grenell defends Kennedy Center takeover

Trump hosted the board meeting at the White House as a reminder of the influence he had over the Kennedy Center during his second term. Shortly after returning to office last year, Trump ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a carefully selected board of trustees whom he appointed as the center’s president. He also brought up Grenell, who served in a variety of positions during Trump’s first term, when the president mostly ignored the Kennedy Center.

The center’s lineup has since included more Trump-friendly programming, including serving as a venue for the premiere of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary, “Melania.” The council also announced it had renamed the facility the Trump Kennedy Center, a change scholars and lawmakers say should be initiated by Congress, and effectively added the president’s name to the facade of the building.

The fallout from the arts community was swift and intense. Actor Issa Rae, musician Béla Fleck and author Louise Penny were among several artists who pulled out of appearances, while consultants such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renee Fleming resigned. Earlier this month, National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jan Davidson left to head the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

He watches: Trump attends the premiere of “Melania” at the Kennedy Center before its global release

Without mentioning the abandoned displays, Trump said in February that he would close the Kennedy Center to repair what he described as a dilapidated building.

Before the shutdown, Grenell warned employees of impending cuts that would leave “skeletal teams.”

Floca, Grenell’s successor, was vice president of operations. According to his LinkedIn page, he joined the Kennedy Center in January 2024, during the Biden administration.

A center press release at the time describes him as “an experienced facilities management professional with a background in construction management and an appreciation for entire building design principles.”

Listed on LinkedIn, Floca’s previous experience includes a number of positions in District of Columbia government, including associate director of sustainability and energy and director of facilities management. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.

Italy reported from New York.