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John F. Kennedy Center

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River, June 2010.jpg
Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River
Address 2700 F Street, NW
Location Washington, D.C.
Coordinates 38°53′45″N 77°03′21″W / 38.8957°N 77.0559°W / 38.8957; -77.0559Coordinates: 38°53′45″N 77°03′21″W / 38.8957°N 77.0559°W / 38.8957; -77.0559
Owner United States government
Operator John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
David Rubenstein, Chairman
Deborah Rutter, President
Type Performing arts center
Capacity Concert Hall: 2,454
Opera House: 2,294
Eisenhower Theater: 1,161
Terrace Theater: 475
Theater Lab: 398
Family Theater: 320
Jazz Club: 160
Construction
Opened September 8, 1971 (1971-09-08)
Architect Edward Durell Stone
Structural engineer Severud Associates
General contractor John McShain
Tenants
National Symphony Orchestra
Washington National Opera
Suzanne Farrell Ballet
Website
www.kennedy-center.org

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (on the building itself called the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. The Center, which opened September 8, 1971, produces and presents theater, dance, ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, in addition to multi-media performances for all ages.

It is the busiest performing arts facility in the United States and annually hosts approximately 2,000 performances for audiences totaling nearly two million; Center-related touring productions, television, and radio broadcasts welcome 20 million more. Now in its 45th season, the Center presents the greatest examples of music, dance and theater; supports artists in the creation of new work; and serves the nation as a leader in arts education. With its artistic affiliate, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Center's achievements as a commissioner, producer, and nurturer of developing artists have resulted in over 200 theatrical productions, dozens of new ballets, operas, and musical works.

Tracing its beginning to the National Cultural Center Act of Congress in 1958, which requires that its programming be sustained through private funds, the center represents a public-private partnership. It is both the nation's public memorial to President John F. Kennedy and the "national center for the performing arts." Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, almost entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.

Designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, it was built by Philadelphia contractor John McShain and is administered by a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution. It receives federal funding each year to pay for the maintenance and operation of the building.


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