WASHINGTON — The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is considering a partial closure plan after a federal judge blocked a broader two-year shutdown proposal supported by the Trump administration, according to court filings and statements from the institution. The Washington, D.C., cultural center said it is evaluating options for renovations while maintaining some level of public access, with details of the final approach still under review.
The dispute follows a series of changes at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump’s administration gained influence over the institution’s board. The board had approved a plan for a major closure for renovations, but U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the planned shutdown and ruled that the center could not be renamed by the board without congressional action.
Kennedy Center officials have said the institution must balance construction needs with continued operations. In a court filing, the center said it was not required to reschedule previously canceled performances or immediately restore all programming, while indicating that some public access could continue after the originally planned shutdown date.
The administration and Kennedy Center leadership have argued that renovations are needed to address the condition of the facility. Trump previously said the project was intended to modernize the venue, and supporters of the renovation plan said the work would improve the institution’s infrastructure.
The legal fight also involved the addition of Trump’s name to the center. A federal judge ordered the removal of Trump references after ruling that the board exceeded its authority. Kennedy Center officials said they were complying with the order while reviewing legal options. “We are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options,” Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, said in a statement reported by The Associated Press.
Members of Congress have also challenged the administration’s actions. Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democratic member of the Kennedy Center board, argued that the institution should continue normal operations and questioned whether current plans fully comply with the court’s order, according to reports.
The Kennedy Center has not announced a final decision on whether renovations will require a partial closure, phased work, or another arrangement. Officials said planning details remain under review, including how performances and other activities would be affected.
On Sunday, June 21, the institution remained in discussions over its next steps as it prepared to update plans related to construction, programming and public access. The center’s board is expected to continue reviewing renovation options following the court’s ruling.
