September 21, 2026 (Washington, DC) – Today, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) calls for preservation of the historic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
On September 15th, the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees held a meeting and voted to close the Center for renovation and reconstruction, following a prior statement by the Trump administration’s legal team claiming that “without those efforts, the Center will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down, with a determination to follow on what to build on the site.”
On the 17th, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered that the administration must provide 30 days’ notice before implementation of any changes to the Kennedy Center’s renovation plans, “including but not limited to any ‘demolition’ of the Center’s main building.” Judge Cooper has asked the administration to file a status report by September 23rd with more details on closure and any emergency repairs.
All of this comes closely on the heels of the removal of artwork from the Kennedy Center and REACH grounds, including the dismantling of the sculpture entitled “Blue”, which was created by Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Joel Shapiro.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Bust of Kennedy. Source: The Kennedy Center website (https://www.kennedy-center.org/memorial/).
“The Kennedy Center holds a special place in the hearts of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers,” said NPCA President and CEO Carla Brown. “President John F. Kennedy played a significant role in both the founding of the Peace Corps and the Kennedy Center. The Peace Corps is an important means for cultural exchange between Volunteers and the communities where they serve. The Kennedy Center has been a bastion of cultural exchange right here in the nation’s capital.”
September 22nd marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act into law. The following year, 1962, Kennedy and wife Jackie “launched a $30 million fundraising campaign” for construction of the Kennedy Center. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law an Act of Congress designating the National Cultural Center as a living memorial to Kennedy.
The Kennedy Center is an important landmark in Washington, D.C. It not only has historical significance; the Center has served as a cultural and artistic haven for decades — providing opportunities for local, national, and international artists to perform. This access to global arts and culture is particularly meaningful to the Peace Corps community, especially as volunteers have lived and worked in 144 countries worldwide since the agency’s founding. The Kennedy Center has also provided free performances for years on the Millennium Stage, which has ensured that performances are accessible to people of all ages and socioeconomic status.
NPCA understands that renovations are necessary to ensure the safety of long-standing structures. However, it is vital to preserve the rich cultural heritage Kennedy and Johnson initiated, Edward Durell Stone designed, and artists from around the world have brought life and meaning to. Preserve the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and ensure creativity, beauty, and cultural exchange remain part of the fabric of this storied institution.
The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the entire Peace Corps community, encouraging and celebrating their lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals, and building their capacity to make a profound difference in the world. NPCA is a separate entity from the government agency, while the organization does advocate for the agency and for former and currently serving Volunteers. By design, Peace Corps and NPCA have a close and cordial relationship that fosters mutual respect and understanding. For more information, visit https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/.
Banner image credit: Mark Stebnicki, videographer/photographer for NC Farm Bureau (source: Pexels). Captivating view of the Kennedy Center beside the Potomac River with lush greenery in summer.