Kennedy Center's New Artistic Programming Chief Resigns Abruptly After Mere Fortnight
The newly appointed senior vice-president of artistic programming at Washington DC's prestigious John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has resigned less than two weeks after his hiring was publicly announced, confirming the ongoing turmoil at the institution following a leadership overhaul initiated by Donald Trump.
Swift Departure Confirmed
Kevin Couch confirmed to The Guardian on Thursday that he "resigned yesterday" from his position at the Kennedy Center. The center had announced Couch's appointment to the role on 16 January, sharing the news on social media platforms on 22 January. Couch, who recently served as director of programming for ATG Entertainment and founded the Dallas-based branding agency CBC Creative, also confirmed his departure to The Washington Post and The New York Times on Wednesday, though he declined to provide a specific reason for his resignation.
The Kennedy Center has not responded to requests for comment regarding Couch's abrupt exit. As of Thursday morning, Couch's name no longer appears on the center's official website page listing "Executive Leadership & Artistic Partners", indicating a swift removal following his resignation.
Context of Recent Upheaval
Couch's departure occurs against a backdrop of significant turbulence at the Kennedy Center, stemming from leadership changes implemented since the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidential term. Last year, Trump installed a new board of trustees at the center and was elected to serve as its new chair, initiating what has been described as a comprehensive leadership overhaul.
The changes have prompted notable backlash from the artistic community:
- Earlier this week, celebrated American composer Philip Glass announced he had withdrawn the world premiere of his latest symphony from the Kennedy Center in protest of Trump's presidency.
- Earlier this month, the Washington National Opera confirmed it was moving its performances out of the venue.
- In December, the new Trump-appointed board of trustees voted to rename the institution the "Trump-Kennedy Center", though The New York Times notes that by law, the venue is designated the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was established as a living memorial to the former president. Any formal name change would reportedly require congressional approval.
Broader Institutional Impact
The leadership changes and associated controversies appear to be affecting the center's operations and public engagement. Reports from October indicated that, several months into Trump's involvement with the institution, ticket sales for the Kennedy Center's three largest performance spaces had fallen to their lowest levels in years, suggesting a potential decline in audience attendance or confidence.
When Couch's appointment was initially announced, Richard Grenell, the center's president ambassador, stated: "We are proud to welcome Kevin Couch to the Trump Kennedy Center as we expand our commonsense programming. Kevin brings a clear-eyed approach to curating a roster of compelling shows that invite and inspire all audiences." This statement itself reflected the new leadership's direction and branding emphasis.
The rapid resignation of a key artistic hire underscores the ongoing challenges facing one of America's most prominent cultural institutions as it navigates significant political and administrative changes.
