"Kevin Couch, who was announced as the Kennedy Center's new head of artistic programming on January 16th, has resigned from the position. Couch confirmed his departure in a statement to the New York Times, but did not give a reason. Couch was hired on January 16th to succeed Jeffrey Finn, the long-tenured executive who departed in September 2025 following the center's leadership overhaul."
"At the time of his appointment, Couch expressed pride in joining what has been controversially rebranded as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," citing a desire to "deliver meaningful experiences at America's cultural center" during a "pivotal moment." However, Couch's brief tenure coincided with a snowballing boycott by the arts community, with major figures including Philip Glass, Renée Fleming, and the Martha Graham Dance Company all having severed ties with the Kennedy Center in protest of its new political direction."
Kevin Couch resigned as the Kennedy Center's head of artistic programming after being announced for the role on January 16th. He confirmed his departure in a statement to the New York Times and did not give a reason. Couch had been hired to succeed Jeffrey Finn, who departed in September 2025 following a leadership overhaul. Couch said he was proud to join what has been controversially rebranded as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," and sought to "deliver meaningful experiences at America's cultural center" during a "pivotal moment." His brief tenure coincided with a growing arts-community boycott; major figures severed ties in protest of the center's political direction. Consequence has reached out to Kennedy Center representatives for comment.
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