Kennedy Center Appoints Rick Canny Artistic Director After Amending Consulting Contract
Rick Canny has been appointed artistic director of the Kennedy Center, formalizing a role he has held in an advisory capacity since April 2025. His consulting contract was amended to grant him the title "in a designated executive consulting capacity." The appointment comes two months after a takeover of the institution by allies of Donald Trump. Internal memos indicate Canny seeks broad authority to implement changes at the Center. The move is part of a larger overhaul of the Kennedy Center's leadership and programming under the Trump era.
Key facts
- Rick Canny has been a senior adviser to the Kennedy Center since April 2025.
- The Kennedy Center amended Canny's consulting contract to appoint him artistic director.
- The appointment is described as "in a designated executive consulting capacity."
- Canny began advising the Center two months after Trump's takeover.
- Memos indicate Canny wants authority to make many changes.
- The Kennedy Center is undergoing a Trump-era overhaul.
- The news was reported by The Washington Post (via MSN).
Entities
Artists
- Rick Canny
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- Kennedy Center
- The Washington Post
- MSN
- CNN
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States