List of Donors to the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

United States national cultural center in Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River
John F. Kennedy Memorial Centre for the Performing Arts Location within Central Washington, D.C. Evidence map of Central Washington, D.C. John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (the United States) Show map of the U.s.
Address	2700 F Street, NW
Location	Washington, D.C., The states
Coordinates	38°53′45″Due north 77°03′21″W  /  38.8957°N 77.0559°W  / 38.8957; -77.0559 Coordinates: 38°53′45″Due north 77°03′21″Westward  /  38.8957°N 77.0559°West  / 38.8957; -77.0559
Public transit	Washington Metro at Foggy Bottom–GWU station Metrobus
Owner	U.s.a. regime
Operator	John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts David Rubenstein, Chairman Deborah Rutter, President
Blazon	Performing arts eye
Capacity	Concert Hall: 2,454 Opera House: 2,294 Eisenhower Theater: one,161 Terrace Theater: 475 Theater Lab: 398 Family unit Theater: 320 Jazz Guild: 160
Construction
Broke ground	December ii, 1964
Opened	September viii, 1971 (1971-09-08)
Architect	Edward Durell Stone
Structural engineer	Severud Assembly
General contractor	John McShain
Tenants
National Symphony Orchestra Washington National Opera
Website
www.kennedy-middle.org

Bosom of John F. Kennedy by Robert Berks located opposite the entrance to the Opera Business firm in the Center

The John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to equally the Kennedy Middle) is the The states National Cultural Center, located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It was named in 1964 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Opened on September 8, 1971, the eye hosts many different genres of performance fine art, such as theater, dance, orchestras, jazz, pop, and folk music.

Authorized by the 1958 National Cultural Eye Act of Congress,^[1] which requires that its programming exist sustained through individual funds, the heart represents a public–individual partnership. Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, almost entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.

The original building, designed past architect Edward Durell Stone,^[one] was constructed by Philadelphia contractor John McShain, and is administered as a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution. An earlier blueprint proposal called for a more than curvy, spaceship-inspired building similar to how the Watergate circuitous appears today.^[2] An extension to the Durell Stone Building was designed past Steven Holl and opened in 2019. The center receives annual federal funding to pay for edifice maintenance and performance.

History [edit]

The idea for a national cultural center dates to 1933 when Kickoff Lady Eleanor Roosevelt discussed ideas for the Emergency Relief and Ceremonious Works Assistants to create employment for unemployed actors during the Slap-up Low.^[3] Congress held hearings in 1935 on plans to establish a Cabinet level Department of Science, Fine art and Literature, and to build a awe-inspiring theater and arts building on Capitol Hill near the Supreme Courtroom building. A 1938 congressional resolution called for construction of a "public building which shall be known as the National Cultural Center" near Judiciary Square, but nothing materialized.^[three]

Flags in the Hall of States

The idea for a national theater resurfaced in 1950, when U.S. Representative Arthur George Klein of New York introduced a pecker to authorize funds to plan and build a cultural eye. The bill included provisions that the center would prohibit whatever discrimination of cast or audience. In 1955, the Stanford Research Institute was deputed to select a site and provide blueprint suggestions for the center.^[4] From 1955 to 1958, Congress debated the idea amid much controversy. A bill was finally passed in Congress in the summer of 1958 and on September 4, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the National Cultural Center Human action which provided momentum for the project.^[5]

This was the first time that the federal government helped finance a structure dedicated to the performing arts. The legislation required a portion of the costs, estimated at $10–25 million, to be raised within v years of the pecker's passage.^[6] Edward Durell Stone was selected as architect for the project in June 1959.^[7] He presented preliminary designs to the President's Music Committee in Oct 1959, along with estimated costs of $50 million, double the original estimates of $25–30 million. Past November 1959, estimated costs had escalated to $61 million.^[eight] Despite this, Rock's design was well received in editorials in The Washington Post, Washington Star, and quickly approved by the The states Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital letter Planning Commission, and the National Park Service.^[9]

The National Cultural Center was renamed the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in 1964, following the bump-off of President Kennedy.^[x]

Fundraising [edit]

The National Cultural Center Board of Trustees, a group President Eisenhower established January 29, 1959, led fundraising.^[6] Fundraising efforts were non successful, with only $13,425 raised in the get-go three years.^[eleven] President John F. Kennedy was interested in bringing civilization to the nation'south majuscule, and provided leadership and back up for the project.^[12] In 1961, President Kennedy asked Roger L. Stevens to help develop the National Cultural Heart, and serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Stevens recruited First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as Honorary Chairman of the Center, and former Beginning Lady Mamie Eisenhower equally co-chairman.^[xiii] In Jan 1961, Jarold A. Kieffer became the first Executive Manager of the National Cultural Center, overseeing numerous fundraising efforts and assisting with the architectural program.^[14]

The total cost of construction was $70 million.^[ten] Congress allocated $43 million for structure costs, including $23 meg equally an outright grant and the other $twenty million in bonds.^[12] Donations besides comprised a meaning portion of funding, including $5 meg from the Ford Foundation, and approximately $500,000 from the Kennedy family unit.^{[xv] [16]} Other major donors included J. Willard Marriott, Marjorie Merriweather Post, John D. Rockefeller III, and Robert West. Woodruff, equally well as many corporate donors.^[16] Foreign countries provided gifts to the Kennedy Center, including a souvenir of 3,700 tons of Carrara marble from Italian republic (worth $1.five one thousand thousand) from the Italian government, which was used in the edifice's construction.^[17]

Construction [edit]

President Lyndon B. Johnson dug the ceremonial first-shovel of earth at the groundbreaking for the Kennedy Center December 2, 1964.^[18] All the same, debate continued for another year over the Foggy Lesser site, with some advocating for another location on Pennsylvania Artery.^[15] Excavation of the site got underway on December eleven, 1965, and the site was cleared by Jan 1967.^[19]

The offset performance was September 5, 1971, with 2,200 members of the full general public in omnipresence to come across a premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass in the Opera Business firm,^[10] while the Heart'south official opening took place September eight, 1971, with a formal gala and premiere operation of the Bernstein Mass.^[20] The Concert Hall was inaugurated September 9, 1971, with a operation by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Doráti.^[xx] Alberto Ginastera's opera, Beatrix Cenci premiered at the Kennedy Eye Opera House September 10, 1971. The Eisenhower Theater was inaugurated October 18, 1971, with a performance of A Doll's House starring Claire Bloom.^[21]

Architecture [edit]

Architect Edward Durell Stone designed the Kennedy Center.^[22] Overall, the building is 100 feet (xxx m) high, 630 feet (190 m) long, and 300 anxiety (91 1000) wide. The Kennedy Eye features a 630-foot-long (190 one thousand), 63-foot-high (19 m) grand lobby, with 16 paw-blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers (a gift from Sweden) and red rug. The Hall of States and the Hall of Nations are both 250-foot-long (76 yard), 63-pes-high (19 m) corridors. The building has fatigued criticism well-nigh its location (far away from Washington Metro stops), and for its scale and form,^[22] although it has also drawn praise for its acoustics, and its terrace overlooking the Potomac River.^[22] In her volume On Architecture, Ada Louise Huxtable chosen information technology "gemütlich Speer."^[23]

Cyril M. Harris designed the Kennedy Heart'due south auditoriums and their acoustics.^[24] A fundamental consideration is that many aircraft fly forth the Potomac River and overhead the Kennedy Center, as they take off and land at the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Helicopter traffic over the Kennedy Center is too fairly high. To keep out this dissonance, the Kennedy Centre was designed as a box within a box, giving each auditorium an actress outer shell.^[25]

Later the original construction was marked for expansion, a competition in 2013 selected Steven Holl Architects to undertake the pattern.^[26] The extension, called The Attain, opened in 2019.^[27]

Artwork [edit]

The plaza archway of the Kennedy Center features ii tableaus past German sculptor Jürgen Weber; created between 1965 and 1971, which were a gift to the Kennedy Center from the West German regime. Nigh the north end of the plaza is a display of nude figures in scenes representing state of war and peace, chosen State of war or Peace. The piece, eight ft × 50 ft × 1.5 ft (ii.44 m × fifteen.24 m × 0.46 thousand), depicts v scenes showing the symbolism of war and peace: a war scene, murder, family unit, and creativity.^[28] At the south end is America which represents Weber's image of America (eight × l × 1.5 ft.). Four scenes are depicted representing threats to liberty, technology, foreign assistance and survival, and gratuitous speech.^[29] It took the artist 4 years to sculpt the two reliefs in plaster, creating 200 castings, and another two years for the foundry in Berlin to cast the pieces. In 1994, the Smithsonian Institution's Save Outdoor Sculpture! plan surveyed State of war or Peace and America and described them every bit being well maintained.^{[28] [29]} Another sculpture Don Quixote by Aurelio Teno occupies a site almost the northeast corner of the building. King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain gave the sculpture to the The states for its Bicentennial, June three, 1976.^[30]

Venues [edit]

Layout of the three primary theaters at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center has three main theaters: the Concert Hall, the Opera House, and the Eisenhower Theater.

Concert Hall [edit]

The Concert Hall, located at the south end of the Center, seats ii,442 including chorister seats and stage boxes, and has a seating arrangement like to that used in many European halls such as Musikverein in Vienna. The Concert Hall is the largest performance infinite in the Kennedy Centre and is the abode of the National Symphony Orchestra. A 1997 renovation brought a high-tech acoustical canopy, handicap-accessible locations on every level, and new seating sections (onstage boxes, chorister seats, and parterre seats). The Hadeland crystal chandeliers, given by the Norwegian Crown, were repositioned to provide a clearer view.^[17] Canadian organbuilder Casavant Frères constructed and installed a new pipe organ in 2012.^[31]

Opera House [edit]

The Opera Business firm, in the heart, has most 2,300 seats. Its interior features include walls covered in cerise velvet, a distinctive red and gold silk drape, given by the Japanese government, and Lobmeyr crystal chandelier with matching pendants, which were a souvenir from the regime of Republic of austria.^[17] Information technology is the major opera, ballet, and large-calibration musical venue of the Heart, and closed during the 2003/2004 season for extensive renovations which provided a revised seating arrangement and redesigned entrances at the orchestra level. It is the home of the Washington National Opera and the annual Kennedy Centre Honors.

Eisenhower Theater [edit]

The Eisenhower Theater, on the north side, seats about 1,163 and is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed the National Cultural Center Human activity into law on September 2, 1958. Information technology primarily hosts plays and musicals, smaller-scale operas, ballet and gimmicky trip the light fantastic toe. The theater contains an orchestra pit for upwardly to 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The venue reopened in Oct 2008, post-obit a 16-month renovation which altered the color scheme and seating arrangements.

Other performance venues [edit]

Entrance to the Theater Lab

The Millennium Phase in 2019

Other performance venues in the Center include:

• The Family Theater, with 324 seats, opened December 9, 2005. It replaced the erstwhile American Pic Institute Theater located side by side to the Hall of States. Designed past the architectural firm Richter Cornbrooks Gribble, Inc. of Baltimore, the new theater incorporates a computerized rigging organization; and a digital video projection system.
• The Terrace Theater, with 513 seats, was constructed on the roof terrace level in the late 1970s every bit a Bicentennial souvenir from the people of Japan to the United States. Information technology is used for chamber music, ballet and gimmicky dance, and theater.
• The Theater Lab, with 399 seats, currently houses the whodunit Shear Madness which has been playing continuously since August 1987.
• The Millennium Stage. Part of the concept of "Performing Arts for Everyone" launched by Chairman James Johnson in the winter of 1997, the Millennium Stage provides costless performances every evening at vi:00 pm on two specially created stages at either end of the Grand Entrance hall. A broad range of fine art forms are featured on the Millennium Phase. These include performing artists and groups from all 50 states and an Artist-in-Residence programme featuring artists performing several evenings in a month. Every bear witness on the Millennium Phase is bachelor as a simulcast of the alive show at 6:00 pm, and is archived for later viewing via the Kennedy Center'due south website.
• The Terrace Gallery. On March 12, 2003, the space formerly known as the Educational activity Resource Center was officially designated the Terrace Gallery. Information technology is now home to the Kennedy Heart Jazz Club.

River and rooftop terraces [edit]

The Kennedy Center offers one of the few open-air rooftop terraces in Washington, D.C.; it is free of charge to the public from 10:00 a.m. until midnight each day, except when closed for private events. The broad terrace provides views in all four directions overlooking the Rosslyn skyline in Arlington, Virginia, to the West; the Potomac River and National Airdrome to the South; the Washington Harbor and the Watergate Complex to the North; and the Lincoln Memorial, Department of State buildings, George Washington University and the Saudi Embassy to the East.

The Grand Foyer, at 63 feet (xix thousand) high and 630 feet (190 m) long, is one of the largest rooms in the earth. If laid on its side, the Washington Monument would fit in this room with 75 feet (23 grand) to spare.

Productions [edit]

Dance [edit]

World premiere performances of Kennedy Centre-commissioned works have been offered through a commissioning plan for new ballet and trip the light fantastic works. These works take been created by America's foremost choreographers—Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, and Merce Cunningham—for leading American dance companies including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. The Kennedy Center formerly supported and produced the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in performances at the Center and on extended tours.

The Middle sponsors two annual trip the light fantastic toe residency programs for young people; Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell and the Trip the light fantastic toe Theatre of Harlem Residency Program, both now in their second decade. The Kennedy Heart's Contemporary Trip the light fantastic toe serial offers a wide range of artistic perspectives, from the foremost masters of the genre to the fine art form's newest and well-nigh exciting artists. In the 2008/2009 series, the Kennedy Middle recognized Modern Masters of American Dance, bringing Martha Graham Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Trip the light fantastic toe Company, Limón Dance Company, Marker Morris Dance Group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Neb T. Jones/Arnie Zane Trip the light fantastic toe Company and Paul Taylor Dance Visitor.

Education [edit]

In recent years the Kennedy Middle has dramatically expanded its teaching programs to reach young people, teachers, and families throughout the nation. The 2005 opening of the Family unit Theater has helped reach this.

Performances for Young Audiences [edit]

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA)

The 2008–2009 season programming for Performances for Young Audiences reached more than 100 performances for young people and their families and over 110 performances for school audiences. The season included four Kennedy Center-commissioned world premieres: The Trumpet of the Swan, a musical adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman from the volume by E.B. White with music past Jason Robert Brown; Mermaids, Monsters, and the World Painted Purple, a new play by Marco Ramirez; Unleashed! The Clandestine Lives of White House Pets, a new play by Allyson Currin in collaboration with the White House Historical Clan; and OMAN...O man!, a new dance production conceived and directed by Debbie Allen and is function of the Heart'south Arab festival, Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World. Theater for Young Audiences on Tour toured with two nationally touring productions of The Phantom Tollbooth and Blues Journeying.

On June eight, 2016 information technology was appear that the Kennedy Center Theater for Immature Audiences-commissioned musical Elephant & Piggie's We are in a Play!, with book and lyrics past Mo Willems and music past Deborah Wicks La Puma, will transfer to the Off-Broadway New Victory Theater in January 2017.^[32]

National Symphony Orchestra Performances for Young Audiences

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra volition continue to present Teddy Bear Concerts throughout its seasons. During these concerts, children aged three to five bring their favorite stuffed creature to interactive musical programs featuring members of the NSO. Members of the NSO present NSO Ensemble Concerts, connecting music with diverse schoolhouse subjects such as science and math, Kinderkonzerts, introducing kids to orchestral instruments and classical composers, besides as NSO Family unit Concerts.

Kennedy Heart American Higher Theater Festival (KCACTF) [edit]

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Eye's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American Higher Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served equally a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United states of america. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive exterior assessment by KCACTF respondents. Since its institution in 1969, KCACTF has reached more than 17.5 million theatergoing students and teachers nationwide.

Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) [edit]

The Kennedy Eye's CETA program'southward mission is make the arts a critical component in every child's education. CETA, which stands for Irresolute Education Through the Arts, creates professional person development opportunities for teachers and school administrators. Each twelvemonth over 700 teachers participate in approximately lx courses that focus on ways to integrate the arts into their teaching.^[33] The Kennedy Center's CETA plan too partners with sixteen schools in the Washington DC Metro expanse to develop long-range programme for arts integration at their school. Two of these schools, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School in Kensington, Dr. and Woodburn Elementary School for the Fine and Communicative Arts in Falls Church, Virginia serve equally Inquiry and Development schools for CETA.

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell (EBSF) [edit]

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell is a iii-week summer ballet intensive for international pre-professional ballerinas ages 14–eighteen. Suzanne Farrell, one of the well-nigh revered ballerinas of the 20th century, has been hosting this Balanchine-inspired intensive at the Kennedy Center since 1993.^{[34] [35]} During their three weeks in Washington, D.C., Farrell's students practice technique and choreography during twice daily classes, six days per week. Outside of the classroom, excursions, activities and performance events are planned for EBSF students to fully immerse themselves in the civilisation of the nation'south capital.^[34]

Festivals [edit]

The Kennedy Center presents festivals celebrating cities, countries, and regions of the globe. The festivals are filled with a broad range of performing arts, visual arts, cuisine, and multi-media. In 2008, the Middle presented an exploration of the culture of Japan entitled Japan! culture + hyperculture. The 2009 Arab festival was an unprecedented exploration of the civilisation of the 22 Arab countries in the League of Arab States, titled Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World. In 2011, the Kennedy Center presented maximum INDIA, a three-week-long celebration of the arts and culture of the sub-continent.

Jazz [edit]

Since its establishment in September 1971, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has showcased jazz in solo, various ensembles, and big band settings. In 1994, the Kennedy Center appointed Dr. Baton Taylor as Creative Advisor for Jazz, and his first installation was his own radio show Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Eye. Featuring his trio and guest artists in performance and word, the serial ran for seven seasons on NPR. Since Taylor's appointment in 1994, the Centre has initiated numerous operation programs to promote jazz on a national phase, featuring leading international artists and rising stars, including: the Art Tatum Piano Panorama, named after Dr. Taylor's mentor; the Louis Armstrong Legacy, highlighting vocalists; the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, the kickoff festival past a major institution promoting outstanding female jazz artists; Beyond Category, featuring artists whose work transcends genre; the Platinum Series, with internationally acclaimed headliners; Jazz Ambassadors with the United States Section of Country, sending musicians on worldwide goodwill tours (1998–2004); the KC Jazz Club, a highly praised intimate setting; and Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Club, highlighting up-and-coming talent. Kennedy Center and NPR annually collaborated on the beloved holiday circulate 'NPR's Pianoforte Jazz Christmas', until the retirement of host Marian McPartland, and hence the show, in 2011. Since 2003, the Center'south jazz programs accept been regularly circulate on NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. Recent highlights, produced by the Middle, have included Great Vibes, A Salute to Lionel Hampton (1995); Billy Taylor'southward 80th Altogether Celebration (2002); Nancy Wilson, A Career Celebration (2003); Michel Legrand with Patti Austin, function of the Centre's Festival of France (2004); A Tribute to Shirley Horn (2004); James Moody'southward 80th Altogether (2005); and Benny Golson at eighty (2009). In March 2007, the Center hosted a one time-in-a-lifetime celebration, Jazz in Our Time, which bestowed the Center's Living Jazz Legend Award to over 30 revered artists. During Dr. Taylor's tenure, the Center has created recognized educational initiatives, including national jazz satellite distance-learning programs; adult lecture serial; principal classes and workshops with national artists and local metropolitan Washington, D.C. students; and Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead—continuing the singer's legacy of identifying outstanding young talent. In 2015, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett performed there as part of their Cheek to Cheek Bout.

National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) [edit]

The National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center'south artistic affiliate since 1987, has commissioned dozens of new works, among them Stephen Albert'south RiverRun, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music; Morton Gould'south Stringmusic, too a Pulitzer Prize-winner; William Bolcom's 6th Symphony, Roger Reynolds'south george WASHINGTON, and Michael Daugherty's UFO, a concerto for solo percussion and orchestra.

In addition to its regular season concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra presents outreach, educational activity, and pops programs, too equally concerts at Wolf Trap each year. The almanac American Residencies for the Kennedy Center is a programme unique to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Center. The Center sends the Orchestra to a unlike state each year for an intensive period of performances and teaching encompassing total orchestral, chamber, and solo concerts, master classes and other teaching sessions. The Orchestra has given these residencies in 20 states then far: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Due north and South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada, and Wyoming/Montana.

The NSO recording of John Corigliano's Of Rage and Remembrance won a Grammy Award in 1996.

Performing Arts for Everyone (PAFE) [edit]

The Kennedy Center is the only U.S. establishment that presents a complimentary performance 365 days a year, daily at 6pm (12 apex on December 24). The Millennium Phase, created equally function of the Center'due south Performing Arts for Everyone initiative in 1997 and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, features a broad spectrum of performing arts, from trip the light fantastic toe and jazz, to chamber music and folk, comedy, storytelling and theater. In the past twelve years, over three 1000000 people have attended Millennium Stage performances. The Millennium Stage has presented more 42,000 artists, which includes over 4,000 international artists from more 70 countries; performers representing all fifty states; and 20,000 Washington-area ensembles and solo artists. The Charlie Byrd Trio and the Billy Taylor Trio were the first artists to delight audiences with a gratis performance on March i, 1997. In 1999, the Middle began web-casting each night'due south live functioning, and continues to archive and maintain each issue in a database of over 3,000 performances which may be accessed via the Center's website. Performing Arts for Everyone initiatives as well include low- and no-cost tickets available to performances on every stage of the Kennedy Center, and several outreach programs designed to increment admission to Kennedy Center tickets and performances.

The Conservatory Projection [edit]

An initiative of the Millennium Stage, the Conservatory Project is a semi-annual upshot occurring in February and May that is designed to present the all-time young musical artists in classical, jazz, musical theater, and opera from leading undergraduate and graduate conservatories, colleges and universities.

Artist Residencies [edit]

The Kennedy Center hosts residencies for artists to collaborate with the Center's performing ensembles, programmers, and community initiatives. The Center holds positions for Composer-in-Residence, Education Creative person-in-Residence, and Culture Creative person-in-Residence. The electric current artists-in-residence are The Roots, author Jacqueline Woodson, composer Carlos Simon, and pianist Robert Glasper.^[36]

Theater [edit]

The Center has co-produced more than than 300 new works of theater over the past 43 years, including Tony-winning shows ranging from Annie in 1977 to A Few Good Men, How to Succeed in Concern Without Actually Trying, The King and I, Titanic, and the American premiere of Les Misérables. The Center besides produced the Sondheim Commemoration (half-dozen Stephen Sondheim musicals) in 2002, Tennessee Williams Explored (three of Tennessee Williams' classic plays) in 2004, Mame starring Christine Baranski in 2006, Funfair! in 2007, August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle (Wilson'southward complete x-play cycle performed equally fully staged readings) and Broadway: Three Generations both in 2008, and a new production of Ragtime in 2009. The Kennedy Eye Fund for New American Plays has provided disquisitional support in the development of 135 new theatrical works. In 2011, a new production of Follies starring Bernadette Peters opened at the Eisenhower Theater, and transferred to Broadway that fall.^{[ needs update ]}

Kennedy Eye Honors [edit]

Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have been awarded annually by the Middle'south Board of Trustees. Each year, five artists or groups are honored for their lifetime contributions to American civilisation and the performing arts, including dance, music, theater, opera, moving-picture show, and television.^[37] The Heart has awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since 1998.

Local performing arts organizations [edit]

Many local arts organizations present (or take presented) their work at the Kennedy Center. Some of these include:

• American Film Institute
• The Washington Chorus
• The Cathedral Choral Society of Washington
• Choral Arts Society of Washington
• Opera Lafayette
• VSA arts
• The Washington Ballet
• Washington Concert Opera
• Washington National Opera
• Washington Performing Arts Order^[38]
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Young Concert Artists of Washington^[39]

Other events [edit]

During the American Bicentennial, the Kennedy Center hosted numerous special events throughout 1976, including six commissioned plays.^[40] The center hosted free performances by groups from each land.^[41] In December 1976, Mikhail Baryshnikov's version of The Nutcracker ballet played for ii weeks.^[42] The Kennedy Center also hosts special inauguration events and galas.

In 1977, the Opera House hosted George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra with Male monarch Harrison and Elizabeth Ashley.^[43] The American Ballet Theatre has besides frequently performed at the Kennedy Centre.^[44] The troupe's 2004 production of Swan Lake, choreographed by Kevin McKenzie, was taped there, shown on PBS in June 2005, and released on DVD before long after. Productions of The King of beasts Rex and Trevor Nunn'south production of My Fair Lady (choreographed by Matthew Bourne) were presented in the 2007–2008 flavour, to proper name a few.^[45]

The 50th Anniversary Commemoration Concert was held on September 14, 2021, and is scheduled to air on PBS on October 1, 2021. Audra McDonald hosted, and First lady Jill Biden gave opening remarks.^[46]

Millennium Stage Archives [edit]

The Kennedy Center stages free daily performances on its Millennium Stage in the M Foyer. Featured on the Millennium Phase are a range of art forms, including performing artists and groups.

The two theaters of The Millennium Stage are equipped with lights, sound systems, and cameras. Every complimentary event performed at this phase is recorded and archived on the Kennedy Center's website. These archives take been available to the public for gratuitous since 2009.^[47]

VSA [edit]

VSA (formerly VSA arts) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Administrator Jean Kennedy Smith to create a lodge where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and bask the arts. VSA provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to back up arts programming in schools and communities. VSA showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each yr 7 one thousand thousand people participate in VSA programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 54 countries around the world. Affiliated with the Kennedy Centre since 2005, VSA was officially merged into the organization in 2011 to get part of the Center'due south Department of VSA and Accessibility.

Renovations and expansion [edit]

On June 16, 1971, Congress authorized appropriations for one yr to the Board of Trustees for operating and maintenance expenses. In following years, the appropriations were provided to the National Park Service for operations, maintenance, security, safety and other functions not direct related to the performing arts activities.^[48] The National Park Service and the Kennedy Centre signed a cooperative agreement requiring each party to pay a portion of the operating and maintenance costs based on what proportion of time the building was to be used for performing arts functions. The agreement did not specify who was responsible for long-term capital improvement projects at the Kennedy Eye, along with only periodic funding by Congress for ane-time projects.^[49]

1990–2005 [edit]

In fiscal years 1991 and 1992, Congress recommended that $27.7 million be allocated for majuscule improvement projects at the Center, including $12 million for structural repairs to the garage and $15.vii million for structural and mechanical repairs, too as projects for improving handicapped access.^[50] In 1994, Congress gave total responsibleness to the Kennedy Center for upper-case letter improvement projects and facility management.^[51] From 1995 to 2005, over $200 one thousand thousand of federal funds were allocated to the Kennedy Centre for long-term upper-case letter projects, repairs, and to bring the centre into compliance with modern fire safety and accessibility codes.^[51] Improvements included renovation of the Concert Hall, Opera Business firm, plaza-level public spaces, and a new fire alarm system.^[52] The renovations projects were completed 13 to 50 per centum over upkeep, due to modifications of plans during the renovations resulting in overtime and other penalties.^[53] Renovations to the Eisenhower Theater were completed in 2008.^[45]

2013–present [edit]

Beginning in 2013, the Middle commenced with an 60,000 square feet (five,600 k²) expansion projection on four acres in the Centre's Due south Plaza. The expansion adds classroom, rehearsal, and performance space and includes three pavilions (the Welcome Pavilion, the Skylight Pavilion, and the River Pavilion), reflecting pool, a tree grove, a sloping backyard to exist used for outdoor performances, and a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek Parkway.^{[54] [55]} The architect is Steven Holl,^[55] with assistance from architectural firm BNIM.^[56] Edmund Hollander Mural Architects is the landscape architect.^[57]

Plans for the project began after David Chiliad. Rubenstein donated $fifty million to the center.^[56] A groundbreaking anniversary took place in Dec 2014. Originally estimated to cost $100 million, the price of the project grew to $175 one thousand thousand, and design changes and a major D.C. sewer project significantly delayed construction. The expansion, entitled the REACH, opened on September 7, 2019 with an opening arts festival.^{[55] [58] [59]} The fundraising goal for the new Accomplish arts centre grew to $250 million^[threescore] as the project progressed, and the target was achieved just two days before opening. Since its opening, the REACH as received several blueprint awards, such equally the Architect'south Newspaper Best of the Twelvemonth Award in the Cultural category and an Honor Award in the 2020 AIA NY Design Awards.^{[61] [62]}

Direction [edit]

Prior to 1980, daily operations of the Kennedy Eye were overseen by the chairman of the board of directors, and by the lath itself. Aspects of the eye's programming and operations were overseen past various other people. George London was the Kennedy Center's outset executive managing director (often called "artistic manager" past the printing, although that was not the formal title), serving from 1968 to 1970,^[63] while William McCormick Blair, Jr. was its get-go authoritative director.^[64] Julius Rudel took over as music director in 1971.^[65] In 1972, Martin Feinstein replaced London and held the position of creative director until 1980.^[66] Marta Casals Istomin was named the first female artistic director in 1980, a position she held until 1990;^[67] she was also the commencement person to exist formally invested with that title.^{[68] [69]}

In 1991, the board created the position of chief operating officer to remove the mean solar day-to-24-hour interval operations of the Kennedy heart from the chairman and board. Lawrence Wilker was hired to fill the position, which later was retitled president.^[70] The artistic manager continued to oversee artistic programming, under the president's direction.

Michael Kaiser became president of the Kennedy Center in 2001. He left the organization when his contract expired in September 2014.^{[70] [71]}

In September 2014, Deborah F. Rutter became its tertiary president; she is the showtime woman to hold that post. Rutter had previously been president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, a position she held from 2003.^[67]

Board of Trustees [edit]

The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, formally known as the Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, maintains and administers the Center and its site. David M. Rubenstein is the chairman of the board.

The honorary chair members of the lath are the Starting time Lady and her living predecessors. Members of the lath are specified past 20 USC 76h and include ex officio members such as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of State (substituting for the Director of the United States Data Agency afterward that agency was abolished), the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Superintendent of Schools of the District of Columbia, the Director of the National Park Service, the Secretarial assistant of Educational activity and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, as well every bit 36 general trustees appointed past the President of the Us for six-year terms.^[72]

See also [edit]

• List of memorials to John F. Kennedy

References [edit]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "U.S. capital seeks to build civilization center". Lewiston Morn Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Printing. October 21, 1962. p. 2.
2. ^ Tom (February 24, 2014). "The Kennedy Heart Could Have Looked Like This". Ghosts of DC . Retrieved February nineteen, 2019.
3. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Heart: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. 50: 527–528.
4. ^ "Timeline of SRI International Innovations: 1940s - 1950s". SRI International. Archived from the original on Nov 29, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
5. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Heart: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. l: 529.
6. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. 50: 541.
7. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Heart: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 542.
8. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Eye: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 543.
9. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 544.
10. ^ ^{a b c} Robertson, Nan (September vi, 1971). "At Last, the Performances Begin". The New York Times . Retrieved Nov four, 2014.
11. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Gild. 50: 545.
12. ^ ^{a b} Lydon, Christopher (September 6, 1971). "Kennedy Arts Center Primps for Opening and Hopes to Brand Profit". The New York Times.
13. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 546.
14. ^ Press release [ane]. The John F. Kennedy Library. Retrieved: six March 2020
15. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Guild. 50: 564.
16. ^ ^{a b} Curtis, Charlotte (September 3, 1971). "Clamor Continues for Seats at Kennedy Center Opening". The New York Times.
17. ^ ^{a b c} "$3-Million in Gifts Beautify Heart". The New York Times. September six, 1971.
18. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Order. 50: 560.
19. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Centre: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 568–569.
20. ^ ^{a b} Schonberg, Harold C. (September two, 1971). "Kennedy Hall Gets Acoustics Workout". The New York Times.
21. ^ Hutchinson, Louise (October 19, 1971). "Eisenhower Theater Opening Performance Seen by Nixons". Chicago Tribune.
22. ^ ^{a b c} Weeks, Christopher (1994). AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Printing. ISBN9780801847134.
23. ^ Huxtable, Ada Louise (2008). On Architecture: Collected Reflections on a Century of Change . Bloomsbury. p. 82. ISBN978-0-8027-1707-8.
24. ^ Roth, Leland 1000. (1982). A Curtailed History of American Compages. Westview Press. p. 337. ISBN978-0064300865.
25. ^ Raichel, Daniel R. (2000). The Science and Applications of Acoustics . Springer. p. 252. ISBN978-0387989075.
26. ^ "Steven Holl Receives Approving for Kennedy Heart Pedestrian Span". ArchDaily. July 31, 2016. Retrieved May nine, 2018.
27. ^ "Welcome to the REACH | the Kennedy Center | Kennedy Heart".
28. ^ ^{a b} "War or Peace, (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Institution. 1994. Retrieved November iv, 2014.
29. ^ ^{a b} "America, (sculpture)". Salve Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Establishment. 1994. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
30. ^ "Kennedy Unit of measurement to Go Male monarch'southward Gift". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. May nine, 1976. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
31. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (September 27, 2011). "Kennedy Middle to Replace Its Pipe Organ". The New York Times.
32. ^ Swain, Marianka. "New Season Announced for New Victory Theater". broadwayworld.com.
33. ^ "Ceta: Program Overview". Retrieved December 18, 2011.
34. ^ ^{a b} "Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell". Retrieved July xvi, 2015.
35. ^ "Dance Spotlight: Learning Curve". Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
36. ^ "50th Anniversary Flavour | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-heart.org . Retrieved April 10, 2021.
37. ^ Boliek, Brooks (September 8, 1994). "Kennedy nods to Douglas, Gould". The Hollywood Reporter.
38. ^ Washington Performing Arts Society website
39. ^ Young Concert Artists of Washington website
40. ^ Darling, Lynn (January 1, 1977). "Bicentennial Hailed for Its Legacies". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
41. ^ "Critics' Roundtable The Arts: Poised for 1977". The Washington Post. January 2, 1977. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
42. ^ Kriegsman, Alan M. (January 2, 1977). "The New Nutcracker: An Artistic Coup". The Washington Post . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
43. ^ Quinn, Sally (January 12, 1977). "King Harrison: 'The World Was A Rather Different Place Then'". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
44. ^ Kriegsman, Alan M. (April 11, 1977). "ABT's Final Weekend: Upbeat Performances". The Washington Postal service . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
45. ^ ^{a b} Smith, Tim (March 6, 2007). "Kennedy Centre announces details of 2007–2008 flavour". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007.
46. ^ Marsh, Kayla. "All Is Bright Again: Inside The Kennedy Center's Star-Studded 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert", Commune Fray, September 16, 2021; and Hampton, Olivia. "Stars shine for Kennedy Center 50th anniversary show", DC Metro Theater Arts, September xvi, 2021
47. ^ "Millennium Phase". Kennedy Middle. Retrieved November four, 2014.
48. ^ General Bookkeeping Office (February 1993). "Kennedy Heart: Information on the Upper-case letter Improvement Program" (PDF). p. 2.
49. ^ General Accounting Role (February 1993). "Kennedy Center: Data on the Capital Improvement Program" (PDF). p. iii.
50. ^ General Accounting Office (Feb 1993). "Kennedy Center: Information on the Upper-case letter Comeback Program" (PDF). GAO Report to Congress. p. 4.
51. ^ ^{a b} Government Accountability Office (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Fire Safety Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. one.
52. ^ Government Accountability Office (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Burn Rubber Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 3.
53. ^ Government Accountability Role (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Fire Prophylactic Issues, Structure Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 4.
54. ^ Peggy McGlone, Completion of Kennedy Centre expansion nevertheless more than than a year away, Washington Mail (May 8, 2018).
55. ^ ^{a b c} "Expansion Projection". John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
56. ^ ^{a b} "KC firm BNIM will help pattern $100 meg expansion of Kennedy Heart". Kansas City Star. April four, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
57. ^ "The REACH at the [sic] The Kennedy Middle". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
58. ^ "Welcome to the REACH | The Kennedy Center | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
59. ^ "REACH Opening Festival Announcement | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
60. ^ "Kennedy Center celebrates latest expansion 'The Attain' with costless opening festival". WTOP. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
61. ^ "Announcing the winners of the 2020 AN Best of Blueprint Awards". The Architect'due south Newspaper. Dec 2, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
62. ^ "THE REACH". AIA New York . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
63. ^ Davis, Peter Yard. (September 17, 1981). "Nov. 4 Gala to Laurels George London". The New York Times . Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
64. ^ Robertson, Nan (February 1, 1968). "Rudel and Blair Accept Kennedy Arts Middle Jobs". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
65. ^ Taubman, Howard (Baronial xxx, 1971). "Rudel Logs a Hectic Day In Kennedy Center Roles". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
66. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (Feb 7, 2006). "Martin Feinstein, 84, Dies; Led the National Opera". The New York Times . Retrieved March 12, 2016.
67. ^ ^{a b} Boyle, Katherine (December ten, 2013). "Deborah F. Rutter to Become Kennedy Center'south Tertiary President". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
68. ^ "Kennedy Center Creative Director". Christian Science Monitor. February 29, 1980. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
69. ^ Cummings, Judith; Krebs, Albin (Feb 27, 1980). "The Kennedy Center Names a New Creative Director". The New York Times . Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
70. ^ ^{a b} Boyle, Katherine (January 23, 2013). "Kennedy Center Will Begin Search to Replace President Michael K. Kaiser". The Washington Postal service. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
71. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (Dec 10, 2013). "Kennedy Eye Names New Master". The New York Times . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
72. ^ "Lath of Trustees". Retrieved Apr thirteen, 2021.

External links [edit]

• Official website
• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts at Google Cultural Institute

robertsleopragues.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts

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