American artists are boycotting the Kennedy Center, after the cultural institution was also named after Donald Trump
More and more artists and bands are canceling their shows at the Kennedy Center for American Culture in protest after the institution also received the name of Donald Trump.
Kennedy Center PHOTO: Wikipedia
The series of cancellations of performances at the Kennedy Center – one of the most important cultural institutions in the United States – is expanding, after other artists decided to withdraw from the program of the center.
Located in Washington DC, the Kennedy Center was established as a memorial dedicated to President John F. Kennedy. He was recently reappointed, the decision being made by a board of directors dominated by those close to Donald Trump. The new name is the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts”. The change sparked criticism and concerns that the center thus loses its apolitical character and its mission to promote free artistic expression, writes Mediafax.
Another artist refuses to take the Kennedy Center stage
As a result, American composer Stephen Schwartz, known for the hit musical Wicked, has announced that he will no longer participate in an event scheduled for May at the Kennedy Center. According to the BBC, he justified his decision by saying that the institution “it no longer represents an apolitical space for free artistic expression.”
“There's no way I'm going to step in there now.” Schwartz said after withdrawing support for the Washington National Opera gala scheduled for May at the Kennedy Center.
They gave up the shows
In this way, the American musician joins a wider wave of artists who have canceled their shows in protest. Jazz group The Cookers canceled their New Year's Eve concerts, and dance company Doug Varone and Dancers pulled two spring performances, citing the center's name change.
Jazz singer Chuck Redd also canceled a traditional Christmas Eve concert.
Management is threatening lawsuits
Other artists have voiced their displeasure, and some US lawmakers and legal experts say Trump's added name violates the center's legal status as a memorial to President Kennedy.
The leadership of the Kennedy Center, including its president, Richard Grenell, however, denied the allegations. Grenell said artists were making politically motivated decisions and threatened legal action against some of those who pulled out of shows.
