Kennedy Center says it's close to bankruptcy and will not be able to pay staff "within weeks"

NPR | By Anastasia Tsioulcas,

Juana Summers

Published September 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM EDT

In two board resolutions made public Monday, the arts institution says it is in a dire financial and physical state —– and that only President Trump can "rescue" it.

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Anastasia Tsioulcas is a correspondent on NPR's Culture desk.

See stories by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Juana Summers

Juana Summers is a host of NPR's All Things Considered.

See stories by Juana Summers

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