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BackPerforming Arts for Everyone
About
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts stages at least one free performance every day of the year. The Chairman of the national center for the performing arts, James A. Johnson, launched "Performing Arts for Everyone" in the winter of 1997: nine initiatives designed to expand and increase access to the performing arts for local Washington residents and visitors to the nation's capital.
Performing Arts for Everyone is designed to introduce the Kennedy Center and its programs to a far wider audience than ever before by providing a performance open to the public and free of charge 365 days a year.
"The Kennedy Center belongs to the nation, and the productions staged here must be shared with every American," says Chairman Johnson. "The daily free performances and the downtown location for discount tickets were important first steps toward that goal."
Performing Arts for Everyone initiatives also include low- and no-cost tickets available to performances on every stage of the Kennedy Center, and several outreach programs designed to increase access to Kennedy Center tickets and performances.
"Our goal is: Every resident of the Washington area, and every visitor to Washington, D.C., will think of the Kennedy Center as the place they call their own to experience the performing arts again and again."
Initiatives
The Millennium Stage
Millennium Stage embodies the Kennedy Center mission and vision, inviting audiences to celebrate our collective cultural heritage in an inclusive, accessible way. Millennium Stage, now in its 22nd season, explores countless artistic styles and inspires the community to engage in the performing arts. Welcoming local, national, and international artists, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is the only U.S. institution that presents a free performance, 365 days a year at 6 p.m., streamed live on the internet.
Are you interested in performing on Millennium Stage, or do you have a program you’d like to recommend? In order to be considered, please submit any recent videos of live performance within the last two years, website, Facebook page, or other pertinent information to MillenniumStage@kennedy-center.org.
The Millennium Stage was created and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs to make the performing arts accessible to everyone in fulfillment of the Kennedy Center's mission to its community and the nation.
Generous support is provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Additional support is provided by Kimberly Engel and Family-The Dennis and Judy Engel Charitable Foundation, The Gessner Family Foundation, The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives, The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc., The Meredith Foundation, Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A.J. Stolwijk, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Millennium Stage Endowment Fund.
The Millennium Stage Endowment Fund was made possible by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, Fannie Mae Foundation, the Kimsey Endowment, Gilbert† and Jaylee† Mead, Mortgage Bankers Association of America and other anonymous gifts to secure the future of the Millennium Stage.
Watch more videos
Millennium Stage Calendar
Perform on Millennium Stage
Are you interested in performing on Millennium Stage, or do you have a program you’d like to recommend? In order to be considered, please submit any recent videos of live performance within the last two years, website, Facebook page, or other pertinent information to MillenniumStage@kennedy-center.org.
Millennium Stage at 20!
Millennium Stage Presenting Sponsor:
Brought to you by
P.A.F.E.
Learn about the goals and mission of the Performing Arts for Everyone initiative.
Conservatory Project
Music's rising stars from the nation's top conservatories performing in the Terrace Theater
Local Dance Commissioning Project
Providing funds to local dance artists for world premieres on the Millennium Stage.
Note: There is no free parking when attending or picking up tickets for free events.