Kennedy Center director says facility will be closed for one week for safety inspections, ‘unless extended’

Published September 17, 2026 11:40am ET | Updated September 17, 2026 11:41am ET



The Trump administration will close the Kennedy Center for at least one week to examine the extent of “severe structural deterioration” in the facility, the center’s executive director, Matt Floca, said in a Thursday court filing.

“During this temporary closure, which will last for seven days, unless extended, I intend to assess existing safety risks in those portions of the main building exhibiting severe structural deterioration. I further intend to reevaluate the need for continued closure on a weekly basis,” Floca wrote in a Thursday court filing.

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