JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is America’s living memorial to President Kennedy. Under the guidance of President Michael M. Kaiser, the nine theaters and stages of the nation’s busiest performing arts facility attract audiences totaling two million; Center-related touring productions, television, and radio broadcasts welcome 20 million more.

 

Opening its doors on September 8, 1971, the Center presents the greatest examples of music, dance, and theater; supports artists in the creation of new work; and serves the nation as a leader in arts education. With its artistic affiliate, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Center’s achievements as a commissioner, producer, and nurturer of developing artists have resulted in over 300 theatrical productions, dozens of new ballets, operas, and musical works.

 

Each year more than 17 million people nationwide take part in innovative and effective education programs initiated by the Center—performances, lecture/demonstrations, open rehearsals, dance and music residencies, master classes, competitions for young actors and musicians, and workshops for teachers. These programs have become models for communities across the country.   The Center also has been at the forefront of making the performing arts accessible to persons with disabilities, highlighted by its affiliation with VSA, with which it shares programs and resources. At the end of 2005, the Center opened a new completely accessible theater for young people and families focusing on the presentation of Kennedy Center-commissioned productions.

 

As part of the Kennedy Center’s Performing Arts for Everyone outreach program, the Center and the National Symphony Orchestra stage more than 400 free performances of music, dance, and theater by artists from throughout the world each year on the Center’s main stages, and every evening at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage.