Overview
- Jean Davidson will leave as executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra to become CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center on May 4, citing politicization and poor communication at the Kennedy Center.
- The NSO says its financial support from the center is not in question and it is securing alternate D.C.-area venues so its upcoming seasons can proceed.
- Since taking control, President Trump installed a new board that voted to add his name to the building and announced a roughly two‑year renovation starting around July 4.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty amended her federal lawsuit on Friday to seek a court order halting the planned shutdown and to challenge the renaming and ex‑officio trustees’ voting rights; the center says renovations will proceed as scheduled.
- The Kennedy Center filed a breach‑of‑contract suit against jazz musician Chuck Redd over a canceled 2025 holiday concert as artist withdrawals and the Washington National Opera’s exit continue to disrupt programming.