The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the United States, will close for up to two years for a $257m renovation after the centre’s board voted on Tuesday to proceed with the shutdown.
The decision came less than two hours after a federal judge temporarily blocked the centre from adding US President Donald Trump’s name to its facade, marking the second time in five months that the move has been halted by the court.
Trump subsequently warned that the renovation would not begin unless an appeals court overturns the ruling.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “If the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Reconstruction and the Renovation of The Kennedy Center will not take place.”
The latest development follows months of controversy at the centre since Trump returned to the White House, took over as chairman of its board and announced plans to change its programming.
Several artists have cancelled performances in protest, while the Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra have had to find alternative venues, contributing to a sharp decline in revenue.
The board has warned that the centre’s financial position has become so precarious that it could soon struggle to meet payroll and maintenance obligations.
In a draft resolution ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, the board said, “The Board understands that without such appropriate recognition it is unlikely that President Trump will provide the fundamental oversight of the renovation of the main building and lead the fiscal rescue of the Center.”
US District Judge Christopher Cooper, however, ruled that the board could not add Trump’s name or rename the surrounding campus without congressional approval.
“Simply put, defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’ blessing,” Cooper wrote.
The judge had previously ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the building in May after the centre altered its facade to read “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Workers removed the inscription in June, leaving the exterior covered with scaffolding and a white tarpaulin.
Trump has said the Justice Department, which represents the centre, will appeal Cooper’s latest order.
The board had earlier approved an inscription honouring Trump and a proposal to rename the centre’s plaza after him.
