Washington – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Thursday that it will remain closed for a minimum of seven days to assess “acute risks to public safety” stemming from ongoing structural deterioration. Executive Director and COO Matt Floca disclosed the temporary shutdown in a federal court filing, citing a recent roof terrace canopy inspection and a partial ceiling collapse earlier this month.
Board Conflict Over Naming Rights
The closure comes amid a heated dispute between the Kennedy Center board and Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex‑officio board member. Beatty, who has led efforts to prevent President Donald J. Trump’s name from being added to the building, filed an emergency court request alleging the board’s stated reason for the temporary closure is a pretext for a permanent shutdown.
Beatty’s attorneys urged U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper to make clear that his order bars any demolition of the Center. They argue the board’s actions threaten the institution’s future and constitute an unlawful attempt to honor President Trump.
Trump’s Position and Funding
President Trump, who was appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center by board loyalists, defended his restoration efforts, warning that without action the venue could be “ripped down” due to its “very, very bad” condition. He noted that Congress has allocated $257 million for repairs, but those funds will only be used if the board is allowed to proceed with plans to affix his name to the façade.
In August, the board voted to rename the Center’s exterior to read “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump,” with a secondary inscription pending a $100 million Trump Kennedy Center Fund. A plaza renaming was also proposed. Judge Cooper previously ruled that any such changes require congressional approval, and in May he ordered the removal of Trump’s name after finding the earlier addition illegal.
Public Reaction
Barbra Streisand, a 2008 Kennedy Center honoree, expressed disappointment over the controversy, calling the struggle over a single name “galling and painful to witness.” She emphasized the Center’s role in supporting the arts as a cornerstone of American democracy.
The Kennedy Center’s leadership complied with the May ruling by removing Trump’s name in June, leaving only a tarp and scaffolding where the signage once stood. The board’s recent vote to reinstate the naming plan was blocked by Judge Cooper, who emphasized the need for congressional consent.
Next Steps
Floca indicated the closure could be extended beyond the initial week pending the results of the safety assessment. The board and federal judges will continue to navigate the legal and structural challenges surrounding the iconic performing‑arts venue.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
