Shortly after his re-election, the US president dismissed the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In response, Issa Rae, the creator and star of HBO’s Insecure, canceled her sold-out event, An Evening With Issa Rae, and announced that all tickets would be refunded. Rae cited an “infringement of values” following the president’s appointment as chairman of the center.
In a statement, Rae expressed her disappointment, describing the Kennedy Center as a venue that has historically celebrated artists from diverse backgrounds across various art forms. She shared the announcement of her withdrawal on her Instagram story. The event was originally scheduled for March 16.
The Kennedy Center, officially named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is dedicated to showcasing classical and contemporary music, opera, theater, dance, and other performing arts from the US and around the world. Its mission also includes upholding the ideals of President Kennedy and promoting arts education across the nation.
When asked about his involvement with the center, the president stated, “We took over the Kennedy Center. We didn’t like what they were showcasing.” He added, “I am going to be chairman of it, and we are going to make sure that it is good and not woke,” as reported by Time Magazine.
Rae is not the only artist to distance themselves from the Kennedy Center following the leadership change. Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer of Bridgerton and creator of Grey’s Anatomy, resigned from her position as treasurer earlier this week. Rhimes shared a quote from John F. Kennedy on Instagram: “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
Singer-songwriter Ben Folds also stepped down as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, stating, “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic adviser to the NSO. Not for me.” Similarly, Renée Fleming, an acclaimed actress and opera singer, resigned from her role as artistic adviser, citing her decision as a gesture of respect for her colleagues.
In another development, the Kennedy Center reportedly canceled its tour of Finn, a children’s musical produced by the center. The show, which tells the story of a young shark exploring his identity, was praised for its creativity. The creators of Finn, Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Christopher Dimond, expressed their disappointment online, stating, “While not a surprise given the events of the last week, it is a heartbreak. But we will not be silenced. We will not abandon the kids we wrote this show for. They are already under attack from every side. We didn’t ask for this joy bomb of a show to be a part of the resistance, but here we are.”
