Le Centre Kennedy suspend les visites gratuites, citant une révision des itinéraires touristiques

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts abruptly halted its long-standing free public tour program, prompting immediate concern among volunteers and observers. According to reports, the center issued an internal memo to its volunteer staff on Thursday, announcing a “temporary pause” on public tours starting Friday. The directive came just hours after the center’s director of the volunteer program, Brooks Boeke, informed volunteers via a follow-up email that the pause would last only a few days, with the goal of resuming operations shortly. The memo, initially shared with the New York Times, did not clarify the reasons behind the suspension. However, it stated that the decision was part of a broader review of the visitor experience. A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center, P.J. Elliott, later reiterated this point in a statement to the Times, emphasizing that the review aimed to enhance the overall visitor experience through a reassessment of campus-wide tour routes. The suspension followed a recent article in the Times highlighting the impact of the Trump administration's changes to the center. Longtime volunteer tour guide Sandy Weiswasser, who has guided visitors for 18 years, described the center as significantly less vibrant than in past years. She noted that the space, once bustling with activity, now feels eerily quiet. Weiswasser and several other volunteers reportedly expressed fears to the Times that the center might retaliate against the tour program, possibly as a response to critical coverage. The center’s leadership has undergone substantial changes under President Donald Trump. In 2023, Trump terminated the terms of several board members and named himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center. His tenure led to the installation of Richard Grenell as interim president, who was later succeeded by Matt Floca, the current chief operating officer and executive director. These shifts have raised questions about the direction and management of the institution. The volunteer tour program, which has operated continuously since the center’s opening in 1971—except for a one-year break during the pandemic, has faced challenges in recent years. Once boasting up to 140 guides offering tours in 10 languages to nearly 400,000 visitors annually, the program has seen a decline in participation. Volunteers reported lower turnout, with some noting only a handful of guides appearing for shifts. This trend has contributed to a noticeable decrease in foot traffic and engagement at the center. Separately, the Kennedy Center has been embroiled in legal disputes regarding its leadership structure. In May, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board’s attempt to rename the center after Trump was unlawful, stating that Congress granted the center its name and only Congress can alter it. The same ruling temporarily prevented the board from voting to close the center for renovations. While these issues are distinct from the tour suspension, they underscore the broader tensions surrounding the center’s governance and direction. As of now, the Kennedy Center has not provided additional details about the future of the tour program beyond the temporary pause. The situation continues to evolve, with stakeholders awaiting further clarification and updates from the center. The outcome of this pause could have implications for both the operational efficiency of the center and the morale of its volunteer workforce.