The prestigious Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. faces another significant artistic withdrawal, as the celebrated Martha Graham Dance Company cancels its scheduled April performance. This move adds to a growing exodus of artists and organisations from the historic venue, following its controversial takeover and rebranding under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
A Centennial Tour Marred by Controversy
America's oldest dance company, the Martha Graham Dance Company, embarked on its centennial nationwide tour on Friday, 17 January 2026. The tour was to include a spring stop at the Kennedy Centre. However, in a statement released the same day, the company announced with regret that it would be unable to perform at the centre in April, though it expressed hope for a future engagement.
While no explicit reason was given for the cancellation, it follows closely on the heels of a decisive and contentious board action. In December 2025, the centre's Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Centre, with building signage swiftly altered to reflect the change. This decision provoked outrage from the Kennedy family and Democratic lawmakers, with some legal experts questioning its legality.
A Wave of Artistic Protest
The Martha Graham Dance Company is far from alone in its withdrawal. The Kennedy Centre has faced a deluge of cancellations since Trump's return to office in February 2025. Upon regaining the presidency, Trump ousted board members he had not appointed, installing new members including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Second Lady Usha Vance. The president stated a mission to eliminate what he termed "woke" programming from the venue.
In protest, prominent figures like actor Issa Rae and musician Peter Wolf have pulled out of appearances. Most recently, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos cancelled two youth concerts set for next month. On Instagram, she stated the current climate at the centre no longer felt like a welcoming space for her, her band, or their audience, citing her work uplifting immigrant stories.
Institutional Exodus and Financial Strain
The boycott has escalated from individual artists to major resident companies. The Washington National Opera (WNO) has announced its decision to seek an early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Centre and resume operations as a fully independent non-profit.
In a statement to the Washington Post, the WNO revealed that support previously provided by the venue had been eliminated, and productions would now need full advance funding. Artistic director Francesca Zambello said she was "deeply saddened" to leave what she called a "national monument to the human spirit." The WNO's board has voted to move all upcoming performances out of the centre's 2,364-seat Opera House, seeking new locations within Washington D.C., though no new leases have been signed.
The cumulative effect of these cancellations and the departure of a cornerstone company like the WNO presents a profound challenge to the Kennedy Centre's status and artistic programming. The institution, long revered as a national cultural beacon, now grapples with a crisis of identity and artistic freedom under its new leadership.
