In a surprising turn of events, Kevin Couch, the newly appointed senior vice president of artistic programming at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has resigned less than two weeks after his hiring was announced. This resignation marks yet another departure from the Kennedy Center since President Trump took control of the institution last year.
According to The New York Times, Couch’s resignation comes amidst recent turmoil following a leadership overhaul initiated by the Trump administration. The Kennedy Center, a renowned cultural institution in Washington, D.C., has seen several high-profile resignations in the past year as the administration has made significant changes to its leadership.
The Guardian reported that Couch confirmed his resignation in a statement, stating that he had resigned the day before. This sudden departure has raised questions about the stability and direction of the Kennedy Center under the current administration.
The Hill also covered the story, noting that Couch, who previously served as the programming head for a UK-based theater owner and production company, had been named the senior vice president of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center just weeks ago. His resignation adds to the uncertainty surrounding the institution’s leadership and programming direction.
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen how the Kennedy Center will navigate this latest setback and move forward in fulfilling its mission of promoting the performing arts in the United States.
Social media commentary on platforms like Mastodon reflects a mix of reactions to the news, with some expressing concern about the implications of Couch’s resignation for the Kennedy Center’s future artistic direction.
As the story continues to unfold, it underscores the broader challenges facing cultural institutions under political administrations and the importance of maintaining artistic integrity and independence in the face of external pressures.
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References:
– The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/trump-kennedy-center-resignation.html
– The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/29/trump-kennedy-center-kevin-couch-resigns
– The Hill: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5712512-kennedy-center-artistic-programming-head-resigns
Social Commentary influenced the creation of this article.
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