The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will temporarily close its doors for a major, two-year renovation project. The center's board of trustees voted on Monday, March 16, 2026, to suspend public operations following its annual Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2026.
The closure is to facilitate a comprehensive $500 million modernization of the nearly 55-year-old building. The project, funded by a combination of federal appropriations and private donations, aims to address critical infrastructure needs, improve accessibility, and create new public and educational spaces.
Concurrently, the Kennedy Center announced the appointment of Deborah F. Rutter as its new president, effective immediately. Rutter, who has served as president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association since 2013, succeeds the outgoing president. The board stated that her experience in arts leadership and capital projects will be crucial during the renovation period.
While the main building will be closed, the center plans to continue some programming and educational initiatives at other venues across the Washington metropolitan area during the two-year hiatus. Officials expect the renovated center to reopen in the summer of 2028.
