Kevin Couch’s abrupt resignation as senior vice president of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center comes amid recent turmoil and artist cancellations, following a leadership overhaul initiated by Donald Trump.
The newly appointed head of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center, Kevin Couch, has resigned from his post less than two weeks after his hiring was announced.
The Kennedy Center – newly christened Trump-Kennedy Center - announced that it had appointed Couch to the role of senior vice president of artistic programming on 16 January, and shared the announcement on social media on 22 January.
“We are proud to welcome Kevin Couch to the Trump Kennedy Center as we expand our commonsense programming,” said Richard Grenell, the center’s interim president. “Kevin brings a clear-eyed approach to curating a roster of compelling shows that invite and inspire all audiences.”
Couch resigned without providing an explanation for the development.
His abrupt departure is the latest sign of turmoil at the performing arts venue, following the leadership overhaul initiated by Donald Trump, who installed a new board of trustees and has placed the institution at the heart of his campaign against what he refers to as “woke” culture.
A wave of artists have been cancelling their performances at the Kennedy Center as a way to protest.
This week, renowned American composer and pianist Philip Glass called off the world premiere of his latest symphony, saying that the “values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of (his new symphony).”
The 88-year-old artist, who is considered as the greatest living US composer, adds his name to a growing list of performers who are cancelling their works in the wake of Trump ousting the previous Kennedy Center leadership. The musical Hamilton, Issa Rae, Renee Fleming, Béla Fleck, Sonia De Los Santos, Chuck Redd, The Brentano Quartet and The Martha Graham Dance Company are among the artists and groups pulling their talents from the threatened arts institution.
Earlier this month, the Washington National Opera also announced it was moving its performances out of the venue.
Unbothered by these cancellations or concerned with a tone-deaf timing considering current events, Trump and first lady Melania Trump did attend the Kennedy Center premiere of Melania yesterday, a documentary she produced about the 20 days leading up to her husband’s return to the White House.
Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our review of Melania.