Today, June 23, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced it will be keeping its doors shut through 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Kennedy Center has canceled most of its previously announced performances and events (including the much-anticipated running of Hamilton) through the end of 2020.
Many planned programs will be moved to spring 2021 and beyond, according to the Center’s most recent press release, which also stated that The Kennedy Center’s leadership, programming and education teams are exploring digital options. The center is also, in consultation with health and safety experts, brainstorming ways to implement physical methods to potentially allow artists and audiences to engage in person in some form this season.
New programming by The Kennedy Center, which will align with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s reopening guidelines, will be announced in July, and will take advantage of the Center’s more than 130,000 square feet of outdoor green space to create socially distanced programming, allowing some previously planned performances to take place, just relocated to different venues.
The Kennedy Center expects to lose an estimated $45.7 million in ticket sales and other earned income during the 2020-2021 season as a result of these cancellations, per the center’s press release. For those holding tickets to affected performances, the ticket value will be placed on account and representatives from The Kennedy Center will be in contact with options once the amended seasons have been announced. More information for subscribers can be found here.
For more on The Kennedy Center’s plan amid its closing, find updates here.
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