{"id":2556974,"date":"2026-01-29T12:17:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senior-vp-resigns-from-kennedy-center-soon-after-hiring-was-announced\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T12:20:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:20:06","slug":"senior-vp-resigns-from-kennedy-center-soon-after-hiring-was-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senior-vp-resigns-from-kennedy-center-soon-after-hiring-was-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior VP resigns from Kennedy Center soon after hiring was announced"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsenior-vp-resigns-from-kennedy-center-soon-after-hiring-was-announced%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2556974&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Kevin Couch, who was announced on Jan. 16 as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-confirms-kathleen-hicks-as-deputy-defense-secretary\/\" title=\"Senate Confirms Kathleen Hicks as Deputy Defense Secretary\">senior vice president<\/a> of artistic programming at the kennedy Centre, confirmed his resignation on Jan. 28 and has been removed from the center\u2019s executive listings. His brief tenure is the latest in a string of departures and turmoil at the institution since President Trump replaced the board in early 2025, installed his own appointees, and was elected chairman. The center\u2019s new leadership has pursued a realignment of programming and branding \u2014 including a bid to rename the institution after Trump \u2014 which has drawn criticism for politicizing the venue. several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-have-these-artists-pulled-their-music-from-spotify\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Have These Artists Pulled Their Music From Spotify?\">high-profile artists<\/a>, including Philip Glass, Renee Fleming, Bela Fleck, and Stephen Schwartz, have canceled scheduled performances in protest, and ticket sales and partnerships have reportedly suffered. Supporters of the changes, such as ambassador Richard Grenell, defended hires like Couch as efforts to broaden \u201ccommonsense programming,\u201d but the departures highlight deep divisions within the arts community and ongoing reputational challenges for the Kennedy Center.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Senior Kennedy Center vice president resigns less than two weeks after hiring was announced<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2488124\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Kevin Couch, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >recently appointed senior vice president<\/a> of artistic programming at the Donald J. Trump and John F. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kennedy-center\/\">Kennedy Center<\/a> for the Performing Arts, resigned just days after his hiring was announced.<\/p>\n<p>Couch, whose <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/news-room\/press-release-landing-page\/kevin-couch-senior-vp-artistic-programming\/\">appointment was announced<\/a> in a Jan. 16 news release, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/entertainment\/2026\/01\/28\/kennedy-center-kevin-couch-resigns-svp-artistic-programming\/\">confirmed his resignation<\/a> on Jan. 28, deepening the turmoil at the nation&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-administration-officials-and-lawmakers-honor-kirk-at-kennedy-center\/\" title=\"Trump administration officials and lawmakers honor Kirk at ...\">premier cultural center<\/a> as numerous performers step out on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eric-clapton-tests-positive-for-covid-19-cancels-shows\/\" title=\"Eric Clapton Tests Positive For COVID-19, Cancels Shows\">planned performances<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4438754\/democratic-lead-in-hispanic-polling-concerning-for-trump-in-2026-byron-york\/\">Democratic lead in Hispanic polling &#8216;concerning&#8217; for Trump in 2026: Byron York<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4438937\/haley-stevens-trails-mallory-mcmorrow-leads-mike-rogers-michigan-senate\/\">Haley Stevens trails progressive Mallory McMorrow for Michigan Senate: Poll<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4438851\/watch-live-trump-holds-cabinet-meeting-with-noem-amid-minneapolis-tensions\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump holds Cabinet meeting with Noem amid Minneapolis tensions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Couch&rsquo;s name has since been removed from the Kennedy Center&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/about-us\/leadership\/executives\/\">executive leadership listings.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Couch&rsquo;s brief tenure is the latest string of departures at the Kennedy Center amid major changes set in motion after President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Donald-Trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> assumed control of its leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In early 2025, Trump dismissed the center&rsquo;s board of trustees and installed his own appointees, who, in turn, elected him chairman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Under the new leadership, the center has courted controversy with efforts to realign its programming and brand. Most notably, Trump&rsquo;s supporters on the board voted to rename the landmark institution after the president.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/richard-grenell\/\">Richard Grenell<\/a>, a Kennedy Center ambassador, welcomed Couch&rsquo;s hiring at the time as part of an effort to &ldquo;expand our commonsense programming.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Couch&rsquo;s resignation comes amid a broader exodus of artists and performers from the Kennedy Center&rsquo;s stages.&nbsp;Several high-profile figures have withdrawn scheduled performances in protest of the center&rsquo;s new direction under Trump&rsquo;s leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Philip Glass canceled the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4435529\/composer-philip-glass-cancels-kennedy-center-lincoln-symphony-conflict-values\/\">world premiere of his latest symphony, <em>Lincoln<\/em><\/a>, citing a &ldquo;direct conflict&rdquo; between the work&rsquo;s themes and values now represented by the center&rsquo;s leadership. Soprano Renee Fleming withdrew from two May appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra amid the continuing controversy.&nbsp;Other artists, including banjoist Bela Fleck and <em>Wicked<\/em> composer Stephen Schwartz, also scrapped planned performances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4438715\/collins-says-noem-agreed-to-cease-ice-operation-in-maine\/\"><strong>COLLINS SAYS NOEM AGREED TO CEASE ICE OPERATION IN MAINE<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These departures reflect deep divisions within the arts community, with critics accusing the Kennedy Center&rsquo;s leadership of politicizing the venue and undermining its mission to serve diverse artistic voices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The shake-ups come at a moment when the Kennedy Center&rsquo;s reputation and audience engagement are being tested.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/jun\/03\/kennedy-center-sales-trump\">Ticket sales have reportedly declined<\/a>, and other organizations have reconsidered their partnerships with the center amid disputes over artistic direction and governance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kennedy Center VP Kevin Couch resigns days after hire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2556975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25353729162149.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50057,72188,72189,6522,72187],"class_list":["post-2556974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-kennedy-center","tag-leadership-change-2","tag-performing-arts-2","tag-resignation","tag-senior-executive"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25353729162149.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2556974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2556974"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2556974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2556982,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2556974\/revisions\/2556982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2556975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2556974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2556974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2556974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}