The Challenge of Finding Solutions

My blog last spring titled "Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" addressed the upheaval when President Donald Trump named himself President of the Kennedy Center and replaced the Board of Trustees.  President Kennedy has no other memorial in Washington D.C.  The Kennedy Center is his memorial, together with a recognition of President Eisenhower by the naming of the Eisenhower Theater.

A young John F. Kennedy announcing Adlai Stevenson

Since the Spring changes, people have shown their disapproval of the changes to the Kennedy Center with their dollars.  At the time of President Trump's naming of the new board, the Kennedy Center was supported by 40,000 individual donors who formed the foundation of the Center's financial support.  Since then, many of these donors have shown their disapproval of the changes by withdrawing their financial support.  From September 3rd to October 12th 43% of seats across the Opera House, Concert Hall, and Eisenhower Theater went unsold.  In comparison to the previous year, ticket spending fell by more than half.  

Removing their support is about the only way donors have to show their disapproval of the replacement of professional leadership and laying off staff.  Some artists have withdrawn their work from the Center.  These results hurt the Kennedy Center itself.  

 With regard to certain proposed changes of the Center, according to the U.S. Code, "After December 2, 1983, no additional memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials shall be designated or installed in the public area of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts."

The Kennedy Center is an American treasure.  Ways must be found to please people who love it, including not only the patrons who have been financial supporters, but also children who can learn to appreciate the arts of all kinds, and visitors from across America and the World can enjoy the Kennedy Center once again!     

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