The Kennedy Center's Fiscal Fiasco: A Cautionary Tale for Public Institutions The news that the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is on the brink of bankruptcy, with a potential closure as soon as Tuesday, should send shockwaves through the cultural and philanthropic communities in Washington, D. C.
and beyond. A 57 page report presented to the board of trustees details a litany of problems that have been festering for years, including struggling to meet maintenance costs and unpaid wages for employees.