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The Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Season

For the past 50 years, we’ve carried President Kennedy’s call to action forward as the nation’s cultural center. In change and challenge, there has never been a greater need for the arts. As we look to the next 50, we’re asking: what can WE do… together?

Explore the 50th Season

Upcoming In-Person Events

Outdoor Events Summer at the Kennedy Center

Live performance returns! Experience free live music, film screening, dance lessons, yoga sessions, arts markets, and more from our Millennium Stage, Sound Health and Dance Sanctuaries programs.

Justin Willman: Magic for Humans in Person

Nov. 6, 2021

Prolific magician/comedian Justin Willman will “amaze, delight, and shock you in a way that’s sure to have your face sore from smiling” (Decider). As USA Today says, he’s “like a magician, but cooler.”

A limited number of VIP Meet-and-Greet tickets are available for both performances.

Get the Full Experience

Experience the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors

Celebrate honorees Dick Van Dyke, Midori, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, and Debbie Allen.

Watch the Full Show on CBS

See Exclusive Performances and Interviews

Purchased the Beyond the Broadcast experience? Log In Now to Access.

Experience the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors

Celebrate honorees Dick Van Dyke, Midori, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, and Debbie Allen.

Watch the Full Show on CBS

See Exclusive Performances and Interviews

Purchased the Beyond the Broadcast experience? Log In Now to Access.

Featured Digital Events

Performances for Young Audiences Digital Subscription

Six Events Available to Watch Now Through June 27

We’re bringing the fun, whimsy, and adventure of our Young Audiences season directly to you! This subscription gives you EXCLUSIVE access to digital performances of theater, dance, music, and more—featuring a cast of unforgettable characters and talented artists found nowhere else.

An Evening of Jazz & Dance

Available Through August 1

Enjoy an extraordinary fusion of dance and jazz featuring award–winning Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and Broadway actress Tiler Peck, visionary choreographer and founder/artistic director of LINES Ballet Alonzo King, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, Grammy Award®–winning jazz artist Gregory Porter, and more.

Active Hope Podcast

Join us for Episode 4 of the Active Hope Podcast where artists and arts leaders will discuss Futurism. How can we reimagine a collective future? How does futurism intersect with art and culture? What do we know about the future for sure, and what is there for us to create, together?

Arts Across America

Our free, online performance series focuses on Cultural Leadership and public healing. This week's episode features Olympian Guor Mading Maker whose inspiring film, tells the story of perseverance and a desire to represent his people of South Sudan. Get an in-depth look into Mading’s story; running as a refugee, running in America, and running to support South Sudan.

The Kennedy Center’s Social Credo

As the Nation’s Cultural Center, the Kennedy Center’s objective is to invite art into the lives of all Americans and ensure it represents the cultural diversity of America. 

Read Our Statement

Enter Our Art Competition!

As part of our If These Halls Could Talk exhibit, the Kennedy Center invites young artists ages 14-26 living in the United States to reflect on the legacy of John F. Kennedy by submitting all-original, creative portraits of our namesake. We ask artists to use one of President Kennedy’s ideals of Service, Justice, Freedom, Courage, and Gratitude as inspiration for their portrait of JFK.

Artwork will be judged by a panel of art experts from across the country looking for a high level of skill, expression of creativity, and reflection of President Kennedy’s legacy and ideals. Ten portraits will be selected by the panel and displayed in a digital gallery on this website. One of those ten artworks will be chosen by a team of Kennedy Center representatives to be displayed in the Hall of States from September 2021 through June 2022 and the selected artist will receive a $500 prize.

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Enter Our Art Competition!

As part of our If These Halls Could Talk exhibit, the Kennedy Center invites young artists ages 14-26 living in the United States to reflect on the legacy of John F. Kennedy by submitting all-original, creative portraits of our namesake. We ask artists to use one of President Kennedy’s ideals of Service, Justice, Freedom, Courage, and Gratitude as inspiration for their portrait of JFK.

Artwork will be judged by a panel of art experts from across the country looking for a high level of skill, expression of creativity, and reflection of President Kennedy’s legacy and ideals. Ten portraits will be selected by the panel and displayed in a digital gallery on this website. One of those ten artworks will be chosen by a team of Kennedy Center representatives to be displayed in the Hall of States from September 2021 through June 2022 and the selected artist will receive a $500 prize.

Digital Stage+ Premium Content

National Symphony Orchestra

NSO Pops - American Strings

Pops Conductor Steven Reinecke leads the NSO string section in an all-American program of folk songs, fiddle tunes, novelty pieces, and film scores.

Kennedy Center Education

Super Cello: Hero Practice

Watch NSO cellist turn into a superhero! Part of our Performances for Young Audiences series.

Help Inspire Others

Our world may have changed, but our commitment to share the arts has not!  Your gift today will provide vital support for our artistic and educational programming as we invite audiences and artists back to our stages.

Kennedy Center Education

Arts education as a mechanism for change.

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to engage and uplift all learners through quality arts education—in ways that spark curiosity, build empathy, and embolden citizen artistry.

During this unprecedented year of learning, the Kennedy Center is focusing on developing digital education resources to ensure that students continue to have access to high quality arts education.

Learn How

Kennedy Center Education

Arts education as a mechanism for change.

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to engage and uplift all learners through quality arts education—in ways that spark curiosity, build empathy, and embolden citizen artistry.

During this unprecedented year of learning, the Kennedy Center is focusing on developing digital education resources to ensure that students continue to have access to high quality arts education.

Learn How

As we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our patrons, artists, volunteers, staff, and community-at-large amidst the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have canceled all previously scheduled full-capacity programs through the summer.

Explore

Visit

Directions, parking, tours and other information you need to plan your visit to the Center.

Support

Join us as a Member or simply donate today to support our artistic and education programs in communities around the country.

Shop

Visit our online store to find the perfect gift for your family and friends, or yourself.