Overview
- Kevin Couch confirmed on Jan. 28 that he resigned as senior vice president of artistic programming, offering no reason in brief statements to the Washington Post and the New York Times.
- The Kennedy Center had announced his hire on Jan. 16, with President Richard Grenell praising plans to expand what he called commonsense programming and touting Couch’s two decades of industry experience.
- The departure follows a spate of high-profile pullouts, including Philip Glass canceling the planned premiere of his Symphony No. 15 and Renée Fleming withdrawing May appearances, with others such as Stephen Schwartz and Hamilton also exiting engagements.
- The institution’s board, chaired by President Trump, voted in December to add his name to the memorial, a move legal experts say requires congressional action as Rep. Joyce Beatty pursues a lawsuit challenging the change.
- Operational strain continues as reports point to slowed ticket sales and the Washington National Opera relocating performances, even as the center’s public relations office insists politics should have no place in the arts.