The Kennedy Center announced that it has canceled its performances and public events as it is closing all its facilities until further notice due to the threat of COVID-19.
“The Kennedy Center’s highest priority is the health and well-being of all our patrons, artists, volunteers, and staff,” it was said in a statement shared on the center’s website on March 12.
All events scheduled at the venue through the end of this month will be canceled effective Friday, March 13, as per the specific public health recommendations issued by D.C. Health and Mayor Muriel Bowser, according to the statement.
Even though the Kennedy Center campus and its facilities, including the restaurant and café, will be closed to visitors, administrative staff will still be working to continue basic operations.
Organizers are working on rescheduling artists and productions for possible future dates.
“While this is an extraordinarily difficult decision to suspend all performances and activity throughout the month of March, it is the right thing to do to protect the health and well-being of our patrons, artists, and staff,” Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter was quoted as saying.
“Kennedy Center leadership has taken swift action and will do our part to help in the serious containment efforts called for by our city’s and country’s top government officials and medical experts.”
Those who have tickets for events slated to take place between March 13 and March 31 are offered four options:
- Exchange your tickets for a future date or alternate show (where possible)
- Donate your tickets, and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value
- Exchange your tickets for a Kennedy Center gift certificate
- Receive a full refund for the value of the ticket and associated fees