The Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Season
For the past 50 years, we’ve carried President Kennedy’s call to action forward as the nation’s cultural center. In change and challenge, there has never been a greater need for the arts. As we look to the next 50, we’re asking: what can WE do… together?
President Kennedy challenged us to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. For the past 50 years, we’ve carried his challenge forward as the nation’s cultural center, fostering creativity on our stages and in communities around the country. As we look to the next 50, we’re asking: what can we do together?
In creation, where can we find healing? In dedication, where can we find devotion? In inspiration, where can we find joy? In participation, where can we find belonging?
In change and challenge, there has never been a greater need for the arts—nor a greater role for the arts to play. The performing arts have an unparalleled power to take on the toughest issues, show us what’s possible, and connect us to new ideas, old truths, and one another. The Kennedy Center is a hub for wonder, creativity, transformation, and possibility. Together, we move and are moved. We build culture and community. We, the people, dare to dream and set the artist free. Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what WE can do...together.
Celebrating 50 Years
ART AND IDEALS: PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT COMING SEPTEMBER 2022
Join us this fall to experience an immersive new permanent exhibit on President John F. Kennedy, his connection to the arts, and the national cultural center that would bear his name.
Our expansive roof-level Atrium will reopen as the JFK Gallery, a new destination for patrons and visitors to the memorial. The exhibit will explore Kennedy’s appreciation and promotion of the arts and why the Kennedy Center came to be the living memorial to him and his ideals.
Public Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Saturday, September 17 at noon in the States Gallery
FREE ADMISSION! OPEN DAILY NOON-MIDNIGHT
Connecting Art and Sports
TEAMING UP WITH THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington Spirit formed a special partnership to highlight the connection between the performing arts and sports. The Kennedy Center is now the 2022 front-of-jersey partner on the defending National Women's Soccer League champions’ 10th Anniversary Kit.
Connecting Art and Sports
TEAMING UP WITH THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington Spirit formed a special partnership to highlight the connection between the performing arts and sports. The Kennedy Center is now the 2022 front-of-jersey partner on the defending National Women's Soccer League champions’ 10th Anniversary Kit.
If These Halls Could Talk: Celebrating the Kennedy Center at 50
This year-long free exhibit celebrates the Center’s history through the people who have brought it to life. Engaging video, powerful visuals, and novel archival content tell the story of the Kennedy Center’s history in the voices and memories of the leaders, staff, artists, donors, audiences, and larger community that make it a “living” memorial. Curated by International Programming, this exhibit publicly launches the Kennedy Center Archives as a resource for preserving and providing access to the Kennedy Center’s legacy—in person and online.
Commemorate the Celebration
Celebrate our 50th anniversary with a memento from this capsule collection of NEW limited-edition classic Kennedy Center-branded merchandise. Watch for more exclusive products and collaborations with long-time Kennedy Center vendors and artisans throughout the coming season.
Commemorate the Celebration
Celebrate our 50th anniversary with a memento from this capsule collection of NEW limited-edition classic Kennedy Center-branded merchandise. Watch for more exclusive products and collaborations with long-time Kennedy Center vendors and artisans throughout the coming season.
Sponsors
Thank you to the following Sponsors
Boeing
The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives
The Roger and Victoria Sant Trust
Fred Eychaner Fund
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
The Ford Foundation
David C. Frederick and Sophia Lynn
The Orlebeke Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
The Buffy and William Cafritz Foundation
The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein
The Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation
The National Committee for the Performing Arts
Discover India Initiatives
The Travelers Company, Inc
David M. Rubenstein
Cornerstone of the Reach
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of programming in our 50th anniversary season.