Kennedy Center’s new artistic director resigns just weeks after appointment
Kevin Couch, who was appointed artistic director of the Trump Kennedy Center earlier this month, has already resigned from the role.
Prior to his appointment at the newly-named cultural institution in Washington DC, Couch served as director of programming for ATG Entertainment and also previously founded the Dallas-based agency CBC Creative.
Upon announcing Couch as part of the new-look team, the Trump Kennedy Center’s president, Richard Grenell, welcomed him in a statement on January 16th, which reads, “We are proud to welcome Kevin Couch to the Trump Kennedy Center as we expand our commonsense programming.”
Grenell continued, “Kevin brings a clear-eyed approach to curating a roster of compelling shows that invite and inspire all audiences”.
Additionally, Couch said he was “honored” to take the role on at “such a pivotal moment for the performing arts”, before adding, “I look forward to the extraordinary creative possibilities ahead – championing our artists and partners to deliver meaningful experiences at America’s cultural center.”
However, less than two weeks later, Couch is now out the door, according to the New York Times. He has not specified a reason why he has left the role.
During Couch’s brief tenure as artistic director, it was a tumultuous time for the Trump Kennedy Centre due to artists cancelling future shows amid Trump’s takeover.
Opera singer Renée Fleming, who previously resigned from her role as an artistic advisor at the Kennedy Centre last year, withdrew two concerts that were scheduled to take place in May. No reason was given by Fleming.
Additionally, composer Phillip Glass withdrew the premiere of his new symphony, titled Lincoln after the 16th president of the US, in June.
Glass explained of his decision, “Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
Tonight (January 29th), the Trump Kennedy Centre is set to host the premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ new Melania Trump documentary, Melania, which has reportedly cost $75 million to make.
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