Welcome to the audio-described version of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts official Visitors Guide brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos and maps, this version interprets the 32-page color brochure that Kennedy Center visitors receive. The brochure gives an overview of the Kennedy Center's history and mission, provides a Self-Guided Tour through the campus and buildings, and lists information to assist in planning your visit. This audio version lasts about an hour and ten minutes, which we have divided into 56 sections, as a way to improve the listening experience.
Welcome to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a vibrant cultural hub that connects thousands of artists with millions of people each year, in person, online, and in their home communities. The beginnings of the Center were established in 1958 with the signing of the National Cultural Center Act by President Eisenhower. Following President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, the Center was renamed for him and established as the official living memorial to our 35th president. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened to the public on September 8, 1971. The Center contains six seated theaters in addition to many more performance and rehearsal spaces, presenting every genre from classical music and ballet to theater and hip hop. The Kennedy Center is dedicated to bringing arts education to the nation and promoting cultural leadership, investment in the local creative economy, and fostering an anti-racist institution.
The Kennedy Center welcomes people with disabilities.
Our services include:
For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Office at (202) 416-8727 or access@Kennedy-Center.org, or visit Kennedy-Center.org/accessibility.
IMAGE 1 of 2: The Kennedy Center logo
DESCRIBING: White logo placed on top of a transparent red arch shape, resembling a triangular part of the logo in the top left.
SYNOPSIS: The top left of the cover has a transparent red arch shape, resembling a triangular part of the logo. Inside there is related text and the Kennedy Center logo in white. This logo is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two solid shapes next to each other, separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from the lower left to the upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side is an inward curve that makes the shape narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.
IMAGE 2 of 2: President Kennedy's bust
DESCRIBING: The front cover of the Kennedy Center's Visitors Guide brochure. Contains a photo of President Kennedy's bust.
SYNOPSIS: The front of the brochure contains a photo of a bronze bust of President John F. Kennedy with text overlaid at the top and the bottom. The bust is dark caramel in color, showing the president from the neck up. The rough-hewn texture of the bust resembles little clumps of clay, giving it an almost unfinished look. The photo shows the president’s right profile. The president’s head is crowned with lush hair, with his chin lifted and lips parted. He is looking off into the distance. The bust is perched atop a white and grey veined marble pillar in the red-carpeted Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center. There is a frosted glass panel rising behind the 18-foot tall sculpture, and behind that are many floor-to-ceiling windows.
Below everything superimposed in white is the Visitors Guide title.
CREDIT: Ron Blunt
RELATED TEXT:
The Kennedy Center
The Nation’s Stage
Washington, D.C.
Visitors Guide
IMAGE 1 of 4: The Kennedy Center logo
DESCRIBING: Black and white design of The Kennedy Center logo.
SYNOPSIS: The Kennedy Center logo is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two black solid shapes separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from the lower left to the upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape upward to the right. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side curves, making it narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.
IMAGE 2 of 4: Two people playing music facing one another
DESCRIBING: Color photo of a man singing on the left and a woman playing violin on the right in the Concert Hall.
SYNOPSIS: The singer is hip hop artist Christylez Bacon, a Black man, seen from the chest upholding a microphone in his left hand very close to his mouth. He is wearing a dark-colored suit, white shirt, multicolored tie, and a pink handkerchief in his left breast suit pocket. He’s wearing a brimmed hat but the top is cropped out of the photo. The brim of his hat and the microphone partly obscure his face. The singer faces the right side of the photo and a woman playing violin faces him. They are approximately three feet apart and are looking at each other as they perform. The woman is seen from the hips up in profile. She is white and has short reddish-brown hair with bangs that cover her eyes. She is wearing a blue sleeveless top with a chevron pattern on the front and a solid grey back. She holds the violin so that it rests on her left shoulder, and her fingers support the instrument’s neck as she draws the bow across the strings. Against the dark background, a male musician’s head can be seen between them.
IMAGE 3 of 4: Three men standings next to 3D model of a building
DESCRIBING: A historical black and white photo showing John F. Kennedy with two other men looking at a model of the Kennedy Center.
SYNOPSIS: Three men dressed in business suits. They are standing in a formal room with wood molding panels, long drapes, a chandelier sconce, and a patterned carpet. They are looking at a model of the Kennedy Center which is resting on a table covered with a white cloth to the right. President John F. Kennedy stands at the far left, with architect Edward Durell Stone in the middle gesturing toward the model. An unidentified man stands at the rear, looking at the model.
IMAGE 4 of 4: Purpled image of a DJ
DESCRIBING: A color image of a DJ with his back to us and people on a lower level looking up at him bathed in bright pink and purple light.
SYNOPSIS: A male DJ standing in front of a sound mixing board with his back to the camera. He is looking out at the audience below him, gesturing with his left arm, fist raised. The DJ has a black headset around his neck and is wearing a baseball cap. The picture is bathed in hazy pink and purple neon stage lighting.
RELATED TEXT:
The Kennedy Center 50 Years
President John F. Kennedy challenged us to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. For the past 50 years, the Kennedy Center has carried his challenge forward, fostering creativity on our stages and in communities around the country. As we look to the next 50, we ask: what can we do together?
There has never been a greater need for the arts—nor a greater role for the arts to play. The performing arts connect us to new ideas, old truths, and one another. As the nation’s cultural center, the Kennedy Center will continue to be a hub for wonder, creativity, transformation, and possibility.
Together, we move and are moved. We, the people, dare to dream and set the artist free. Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what WE can do...together.
The 2021–2022 season will feature special events, exhibitions, and experiences that will look back at the Center’s rich history since its creation by Congress and look ahead to our vital role in the future of the performing arts. For more information, visit tkc.co/KC50.
DESCRIBING: A color photograph of a female modern dancer cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo.
SYNOPSIS: A color photograph of a female modern dancer with cropped hair dressed in a tight full body leotard. She is standing on stage in front of a purple background. She leans forward at the hips with her left arm behind her back and her right arm cocked upwards, with her hand touching her shoulder. Both legs bend at the knee with the front foot up on a pointed toe. Her head is looking at the floor. Her body is in heavy shadow with the light coming from the upper left to illuminate her back.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The photo is cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo. It is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two solid shapes next to each other, separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. The dancer’s body crosses this empty space and her head breaks the boundary of the logo. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from lower left to upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side is an inward curve that makes the shape narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.
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The power of the arts uplifts.
Propelled by President John F. Kennedy’s call to embody the “full expression of America’s creative genius,” the Kennedy Center fulfills its mandated mission by presenting the best of the performing arts from the United States and the world, and has since 1971.
Dedicated to inclusively celebrating the multitude of cultures that reside and create in the U.S., the Center is the nation’s home for innovation and creativity. By welcoming leading artists as our artistic advisors, we are able to curate forward-thinking programs that nurture and showcase tomorrow’s brightest creators.
Our artistic affiliates, the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera, are both renowned and storied institutions that draw international attention to the nation’s capital.
We also strive to make the arts available, responsive, and reflective of our society through free Millennium Stage performances presented regularly, broadcast live online, and archived on our website.
DESCRIBING: A color photograph of a young boy performing on stage cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo.
SYNOPSIS: A color photograph of a young Black boy from the knees up punching the air with a fist. He is standing on a stage with a dark background wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair is cut short with curls on top and his mouth is open as if speaking or singing. Leaning forward on his left leg, the boy bends his left arm up with his hand clenched at a fist below his chin. His right arm is down by his side with the hand also in a fist. He wears fingerless black gloves with red horizontal stripes. In the background are other students performing.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The photo is cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo. It is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two solid shapes next to each other, separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. The boy’s body crosses this empty space and his head and fist break the boundary of the logo. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from lower left to upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side is an inward curve that makes the shape narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.
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The power of the arts transforms.
The Kennedy Center is dedicated to empowering educators, developing arts leadership, and training artists as called for by the Center’s Congressional mandate.
In the classroom, our programs provide proven arts-based teaching methods, bolstering creativity and problem-solving across disciplines. Through partnerships with schools, communities, and arts organizations, we inspire and transform students of all ages. All of these efforts are putting us one step closer to the day when all children across America have access to a quality arts education.
Through our work with citizen artists and community advocates, we are encouraging fresh thinking on the role of the arts in contemporary society. These future leaders are harnessing the power of the arts to improve communities and student outcomes.
From artist residencies to professional training programs, we are nurturing young artistry on stage and around the nation. This early support ensures that American arts and artists set a global standard for excellence and innovation.
DESCRIBING: A black and white photo of President Kennedy cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo.
SYNOPSIS: A black and white photo of President Kennedy giving a speech from a podium.
Seen from President Kennedy’s right side, he stands with his hands resting atop the wooden podium in front of him. He is wearing a dark suit, a white shirt, and a solid dark tie. He is looking forward and his mouth is open as he speaks. His thick wavy hair is neatly trimmed. A microphone and a glass of water are at his side in the foreground. Hanging behind him are curtains and a flag.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The photo is cropped in the shape of the Kennedy Center logo. It is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two solid shapes next to each other, separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. President Kennedy’s body crosses this empty space. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from the lower left to the upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side is an inward curve that makes the shape narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.
RELATED TEXT:
The power of the arts inspires.
President Kennedy’s inspirational words carved into our marble walls are brought to life every day in this living memorial. President Dwight D. Eisenhower prepared the way when he signed into law the National Cultural Center Act in 1958, and President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy spearheaded fundraising for this important public-private partnership project. Following JFK’s assassination in 1963, the Center was designated by Congress as a national living memorial to him, embodying the 35th president’s vision for a “New Frontier for American Art.” Designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, the building was opened on September 8, 1971.
After more than 40 years of artistic achievement, the Center broke ground in December 2014 for its first major physical expansion, which opened to the public on September 7, 2019. Designed by renowned American architect Steven Holl, the REACH is a nod to President Kennedy’s call to “set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him,” with spaces for experimentation, interaction, and reflection.
DESCRIBING: A black and white vertical photo of a female dancer leaping above the walls at the REACH.
SYNOPSIS: In the foreground, a Black woman with a bald head is facing the viewer. She is frozen in mid-leap with her left leg straight down and her right leg bent at the knee. She raises her left arm above her shoulder with a hand bent forward at the wrist and is swinging her right arm back and down. The dancer is wearing a white knee-length shirt dress with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Around her neck is a double strand of pearls. Her head is half in shadow and she has a look of concentration on her face.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: At the bottom of the image there are two walls, one light grey, and the other dark grey. They both are triangular in shape angling upward to the right side of the page. In the left corner background, a blurry top of a tree is visible. The dancer is in front of and above the walls as if she were about to dance atop the dark grey wall.
CREDIT: Elman Studio
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As the National Performing Arts Center, the Kennedy Center’s objective is to invite art into the lives of all Americans and ensure it represents the cultural diversity of America. Our mission is to foster inspiration for all. We do this by creating a welcoming and inclusive culture where everyone benefits and the performing arts flourish.
At the Kennedy Center, our work is to empower artists and community, produce impactful performances, and perform with the civic good in mind. An important piece of that work is elevating and supporting the voices of those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented—in the art on our stages, but also across society. Multiculturalism is one of America’s greatest assets and has been the soul of our artistic output for generations. At the Kennedy Center, we strive for this every day.
DESCRIBING: A photo of President Kennedy with a quotation superimposed over it.
SYNOPSIS: A vertical close-up photo of John F. Kennedy’s face overlaid with a blue tint and white type. In the foreground is a quotation from John F. Kennedy in white type superimposed over the whole photo. Transparent angled shapes in two shades of blue cover the background image of Kennedy. The president is turning his head and looking up to the right with a neutral expression. He is wearing a grey suit coat, a white collared dress shirt, and a tie with a pattern of small diamonds.
CREDIT: Ted Spiege
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"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit." President John F. Kennedy
DESCRIBING: A photograph of a full body statue of John F. Kennedy standing on an outdoor plaza surrounded by visitors.
SYNOPSIS: A group of people stands outdoors around a statue of President Kennedy. In the center is a larger than life full body bronze sculpture of President Kennedy. He is wearing a suit and striding forward. His left arm bends at the elbow with his hand at his waist. His right arm is swinging forward. He is smiling. The statue stands in the center of a rectangular plaza paved with light colored rectangular stones. A grassy area surrounds the plaza. At the rear of the plaza is a wide low wall where a woman in a dark suit sits. Two more L-shaped benches are in the opposite corners. Six more people of various ages and ethnicities stand around the statute looking at it. One man raises his cell phone to take a photograph. In the background under a blue sky is a large horizontal white building with a smooth curved wall. The top of the roofline casts a shadow across the front of the building. Along the bottom edge of the building is a wide line of low windows. In the far distance is a skyline of grey office buildings.
CREDIT: Conceptual rendering courtesy of StudioEIS
RELATED TEXT:
John F. Kennedy Statue at the REACH
In a further expression of admiration for its namesake, a new artwork featuring the likeness of President John F. Kennedy will be unveiled in November 2021. This sculpture designed by StudioEIS, a Brooklyn-based 3D design and fabrication studio known for creating strikingly realistic bronze works, will be located within the lower gardens of the REACH and will complement the campus’s sculptural pieces by Joel Shapiro, Deborah Butterfield, and Roy Lichtenstein located nearby.
TEXT:
President John F. Kennedy: Art and Ideals
In September 2022, a major permanent exhibit in the massive roof-level Atrium will open as a new destination for patrons and visitors to the memorial. The exhibit will explore Kennedy’s appreciation and promotion of the arts and why the Kennedy Center came to be the living memorial to him and his ideals.
Through a combination of imagery, video, and interactive exhibits, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about John F. Kennedy and explore the person and the president, art and democracy, the social change and popular culture of his time, the power of words and television, cultural diplomacy and participation, and the posthumous creation of the Kennedy Center as his presidential memorial.
DESCRIBING: Square color cartooned illustration.
SYNOPSIS: Blue cartoon pigeon wearing a conductor's hat holding a circle with the Kennedy Center logo in the middle and short lines circling creating a clockface. The pigeon stands in front of an orange background and on top of a blue floor On the top of the square is a peach color speech bubble with the text in blue saying " Wonder why there's The Pigeon and a funny looking symbol on this sign?" Below is another text bubble off of the pigeon saying, "Install the Tour The Kennedy Center App to find out!" Below is an advertisement to download the app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. In the right corner is a blue teardrop-shaped marker icon with a large eye and a yellow beak. The left corner has a logo for MOKC. An artist signature below for Mo with an exclamation point.
CAPTION: Download our “Tour the Kennedy Center” augmented reality app designed by Mo Willems and our Education Division team! Explore highlights of our campus with The Pigeon as your guide.
CREDIT: Mo Willems
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This Self-Guided Tour will give you a good overview of the nation’s performing arts center, including the Halls of States and Nations, the Grand Foyer, the REACH campus, and some of the world’s wonderful gifts to the Kennedy Center. The theaters are best seen on one of the free, one-hour Guided Tours that depart regularly from the Friends Tour Desk on A Level (see page 29 for more information).
All guided tours are provided by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers after extensive training. The Friends provide support to staff and the visiting public throughout the Kennedy Center. Founded before the building’s completion in 1971, the program includes over 500 volunteers with weekly shifts and several thousand who volunteer for special events and tasks.
Of course, the best way to visit the Kennedy Center is as an audience member. On any given day, many presentations are offered, and tickets are sometimes available on the day of performance. For information on what’s on, check with the Friends Visitor Information Center at stop 1 on your tour or visit Kennedy-Center.org.
If you have any questions on your visit, the Friends volunteers at the Visitor Information Center will be pleased to help.
NOT IN BROCHURE:
In the following sections, there will be a floorplan and then each stop is described within its own section.
All pictographs are bordered by a square.
NOTE: All entrances and restrooms are accessible
DESCRIBING: Illustrated map of the plaza level.
SYNOPSIS: Floorplan of the plaza level labeled one through eleven. Each of the stops on the self-guided tour is marked on the floorplans and mapped with a white number on a red dot. The floorplan is a horizontal rectangle broken up into three darker gray areas.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The exterior is labeled with Potomac River and the River Plaza at the top, REACH Plaza to the left, Entrance Plaza at the bottom, and Northern Plaza to the right. Starting from left to right then top to bottom; there are two entrances at the top and two at the bottom, (10) Concert Hall, Concert Hall Box Office, Coat Check, Elevator, Family Restroom, (11) Hall of Nations, Escalator, Grand Foyer, (8) River Plaza, (9) Opera House, Gift Shop, Level A, Grand Foyer, Main Box Office, Escalator, (4) Hall of States, (2) Kennedy Center Gift Shops, Elevator, (1) Friends Visitor Information Center, (7) Eisenhower Theater, (3) Family Theater, (6) Millennium Stage. KC Shuttle is located at the bottom left corner of the map.
NOTE: All entrances and restrooms are accessible
Friends Visitor Information Center (BEGIN HERE)
Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers provide a wide variety of information on the Center, its performances, and the surrounding environs. The Kennedy Center News magazine and informational brochures are available here. Volunteers make reservations for group tours and provide information on accessibility for people with disabilities.
This is one of two Gift Shops (the other is on Level A) that offer a wide range of merchandise to commemorate your visit to the Kennedy Center. Visitors are invited to browse and purchase gifts and souvenirs from the unique collection. For current Gift Shop hours, visit Kennedy-Center.org
The Friends Tour Desk is also located on Level A.
Entrance to this theater is not available on a tour.
This state-of-the-art, 320-seat theater showcases performances and educational events in theater, dance, and music for young people and their families. The design provides excellent views of the stage from all seat locations as well as easy access to all areas of the theater.
DESCRIBING: Square colored image with the top half cut at an angle
SYNOPSIS: Square-colored image with the top half cut at an angle. The walls are white and made from glass-like material with metal balls lining the hall halfway down circling the room. Golden columns line the center red carpet on both sides of the room. Hanging from the ceiling are different color flags. People are walking the carpet with benches spread out and an information desk in the bottom right corner.
CAPTION: Hall of States
CREDIT: Ron Blunt
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The flags of the 50 United States are hung in the order in which they entered the union. Included, as well, are the flags of the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories. Near the front entrance is a bust of Kennedy Center Founding Chairman Roger L. Stevens by Jimilu Mason. At the other end of the hall is Psychogeography61 by Dustin Yellin, a large-scale glass and mixed-media sculpture weighing more than 3,000 pounds. The main Box Office for all theaters is located on the south side of this hall and is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. (See the Hall of Nations for the Concert Hall Box Office, open for ticket purchases and Will Call one hour prior to performances.)
This is one of the largest rooms in the world: 630 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 60 feet high. It is 75 feet longer than the height of the Washington Monument. It is lit with 16 Orrefors crystal chandeliers, a gift from Sweden. The Grand Foyer serves as the reception area for the Eisenhower Theater, Opera House, Concert Hall, and Millennium Stage.
Please note that walking onto the stage is not permitted.
Founded in 1997, Millennium Stage presents performances year-round, in person, online, and archived for on-demand viewing. A program of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center, this space is a platform undefined by genre, free of charge to the audience, and a resource for artists and organizations of all types. It is a platform for regional, national, and international partnership, and redefining what is high quality art in our society. Millennium Stage strives to epitomize arts for all, by all, in pursuit of an equitable future for all.
DESCRIBING: Horizontal color image of the inside of a theater.
SYNOPSIS: Brown auditorium chairs line the bottom blue carpet in curved rows framing the wooden stage with long golden curtains. There are two more levels of seating to the left of the image. Lights line the brownish-gold walls vertically with recessed lighting on the black roof.
CAPTION: Eisenhower Theater
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To view the inside of this theater, please take a Guided Tour.
The Eisenhower Theater, traditionally home to many of the Kennedy Center’s theater and dance performances, was renovated in 2008. The theater seats 1,169 people, making it comparable in size to many Broadway theater houses. The theater contains an orchestra pit for 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The Box Tier displays gifts from Mexico and China. The bust of President Eisenhower above the lobby is a Felix de Weldon bronze presented by the Texas State Society to commemorate the first native Texan to become a U.S. president. The theater is named for President Eisenhower, who signed the National Cultural Center Act in 1958.
This striking bronze sculpture was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for its opening in 1971. Created by American sculptor Robert Berks, the bust is 8 feet high, weighs 3,000 pounds, and sits on a travertine marble pedestal. Gift from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Watson, Jr., 1971
DESCRIBING: [Describe the type of thing you are describing here, i.e. A small, black-and-white photograph]
SYNOPSIS: Horizontal color image of the inside of a red theater. Red auditorium chairs line the bottom red carpet in curved rows framing the stage with long red curtains. There are two more levels of seating to the left of the image. Lights line the ceilings of each level and on the roof. The center of the roof is hollowed out with a chandelier with many different bulbs.
CAPTION: Opera House
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To view the inside of this theater, please take a Guided Tour.
This theater is designed for grand opera, ballet, and musicals. It is the home of Washington National Opera (WNO), as well as the annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala, honoring individuals for their contributions to America’s cultural life. The mirrors on either side of the lobby are a gift from Belgium. The Box Tier displays gifts from Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Argentina, and African nations. Also on the Box Tier, house right, is the Russian Lounge, a gift from the Vladimir Potanin Foundation featuring two paintings by Valery Koshlyakov and chandeliers and sconces that are gifts from Ireland. The Opera House chandelier—a star-burst of Lobmeyr crystal, 50 feet in diameter and lit by 1,735 bulbs—is a gift from Austria. The red and gold silk stage curtain is a gift from Japan. The Opera House seats 2,360.
DESCRIBING: Red theater facing the stage
SYNOPSIS: Square color image of the inside of a theater facing the stage. The bottom of the image are red auditorium chairs curving around the stage. The stage has chairs spread out with a podium in the center front. Metal tubes line the top of the back wall for the organ. Sound boards line the roof of the stage with lights separating each of the boards. Space on the walls are open for chairs allowing seating space.
CAPTION: Concert Hall
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To view the inside of this theater, please take a Guided Tour.
The Concert Hall is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) as well as a variety of other musical performances. The seating design of the renovated Concert Hall is reminiscent of some of Europe’s finest halls. The Concert Hall is one of the world’s best in terms of the audience’s listening experience. The seven Hadelands crystal chandeliers are a gift from Norway. The Lobby and Box Tier display gifts from Israel, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Denmark. On the Second Tier in the Bird Room is a collection of Boehm birds and wildlife porcelains. The NSO is an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center, and it plays a key role in helping the Center fulfill its mission to serve as an artistic resource for both the community and the nation. The Concert Hall, the largest theater in the Kennedy Center, seats 2,460.
The flags of 190 countries recognized diplomatically by the United States are hung in alphabetical order. Concert Hall tickets may be purchased at the Box Office at the north side of this hall one hour before performances. (See the Hall of States for information concerning the main Box Office.)
DESCRIBING: Floor plan of the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center
SYNOPSIS: Floorplan of the terrace level labeled twelve through eighteen. Each of the stops on the self-guided tour is marked on the floorplans and mapped with a white number on a red dot. The floorplan is a horizontal rectangle broken up into three darker gray areas. A north arrow is found in the top right corner pointing to the right.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The exterior is labeled with West Roof Terrace at the top, South Roof Terrace to the left, East Roof Terrace at the bottom, and North Roof Terrace to the right. Starting from left to right then top to bottom; Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar with a restroom, KC Cafe with a restroom, (12) National Gallery, elevator, (16) Theater Lab, (13) Site of Future John F. Kennedy Exhibit with a restroom, (18) Roof Terrace, (14) States Gallery with restrooms including a family restroom and a coat closet, elevator, (15) Terrace Gallery, (17) Terrace Theater.
NOTE: All entrances and restrooms are accessible
The six wool tapestries represent the biblical Creation. They were designed by John Coburn and are a gift from Australia. The Kennedy Center’s two restaurants, the Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar and the KC Café, are located here and their menus are posted at the entrances.
The permanent exhibit on Kennedy and the arts opens fall of 2022.
NOTE: The States Gallery is accessible via the corridor alongside the Theater Lab.
The States Gallery serves as the reception area for the Terrace Theater, the Theater Lab, and the Terrace Gallery.
To view the inside of this theater, please take a Guided Tour.
The Terrace Gallery is maintained by the Kennedy Center as a multi-purpose room used for performances, including art exhibits, workshops, seminars, and other special events.
Entrance to this theater is not available on a tour.
The Theater Lab, redesigned and renovated in 2012, features the Center’s first thrust stage and seats 388 for performances of theater, music, comedy, and more.
DESCRIBING: Side profile of a theater
SYNOPSIS: Horizontal color image of the inside of a purple theater. Purple auditorium chairs terrace up the center of the room towards the right side of the image on blue carpet. The stairs and landing between different chair levels are red. The stage is on the left side of the image with blue carpet. The walls are wooden panneled in all different directions. In the center of the image of the far wall is an indented area on the wall that has more seating with purple walls. The ceiling near the stage has black sound and lighting fixtures hanging with wavey wooden sound panels. Above the seating is red ceilings with recessed lighting.
CAPTION: Terrace Theater
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To view the inside of this theater, please take a Guided Tour.
Originally a gift from Japan for the American Bicentennial in 1976, the Terrace Theater reopened in 2017 after undergoing a $20 million reconstruction that makes it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The theater seats 450 patrons and features 150 to 180 performances annually, encompassing a range in programming from dance and film to jazz performances and lectures. A major focal point is the entrance lobby, which features a dramatic glass sculpture titled Amber Icicle and Split Leaf Chandelier above the open curved staircase. The chandelier was created specifically for the Center by renowned artist Dale Chihuly.
The Roof Terrace offers expansive 360-degree views of the Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia skylines. Some of the landmarks that can be seen include the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, Georgetown University, the National Cathedral, the Watergate, and more. The south end also offers a great aerial view of the REACH.
MAP 1 of 2: The REACH Level A
DESCRIBING: A map of the interior of the upper level of the REACH
SYNOPSIS: Square floorplan of locations nineteen through twenty-four and twenty-eight. Each of the stops on the self-guided tour is marked on the floorplans and mapped with a white number on a red dot. The floorplan is mostly a light grey with the buildings being a white or darker grey.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The exterior is labeled with the Potomac River on the top, To The Center on the right, and a separate area on the left labeled (28) River Pavilion with an elevator and food services. There is an entrance to the main area at the top, right side, and the bottom. Starting from left to right then top to bottom; (23) Skylight Pavilion, (24) Peace Corps Gallery, Studios J & F Overlook, Studio K Balcony, (22) Justice Forum, REACH Box Office, (19) Welcome Pavilion with a visitor information desk, an elevator and restroom along with a family restroom, Hyannis Port, food services, (21) Moonshot Studio, (20) PT-109.
NOTE: All entrances and restrooms are accessible
MAP 2 of 2: The REACH Level B
DESCRIBING: A map of the interior of the lower level of the REACH
SYNOPSIS: Square floorplan of locations twenty-two, twenty-five through twenty-seven, and twenty-eight. Each of the stops on the self-guided tour is marked on the floorplans and mapped with a white number on a red dot. The floorplan is on a greyscale separating different areas.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The exterior is labeled with To The Center on the right, and a separate area on the left marked (28) River Pavilion with an elevator and restrooms. There is an entrance to the main area on the right side and the bottom. Between the two main areas is a KC Shuttle. Starting from left to right then top to bottom; (26) Sardar Classroom and Macaroni Classroom, (27) Hammer-Smith Lounge, (25) Studio J, F, and K, a restroom, (22) Justice Forum, Peace Corps Gallery, and an elevator.
NOTE: All entrances and restrooms are accessible
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To continue, take the elevators in the States Gallery down to the Foyer Level. Turn right towards the River Plaza, exit outdoors, then turn left and walk south towards the REACH Plaza.
Note: In inclement weather, the REACH is accessible by following the marked pathway inside the garage on Level A.
DESCRIBING: Long image encompassing two buildings
SYNOPSIS: Horizontal color image spanning the top third of the page. The foreground of the image is a body of water crossing from the bottom right corner to halfway up the left side of the image. To the left is The Center which is a square-like building with columns that surround the exterior. The top if the building has a smaller floor than the first level that has a different roof line than the lower level. To the right is The REACH which is two white building with a falt top and indented curved walls facing one another. Separating the buildings from the water is a road with trees and grass. In the distance is taller buildings. The sky is a dark blue with dark clouds scattered above.
CAPTION: The Center and The REACH
CREDIT: Richard Barnes
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Opened to public on September 7, 2019, the REACH expanded the original footprint of the Kennedy Center for the first time in its history. The REACH is a place where audiences and artists can come together for collaboration, experimentation, and exploration in the spirit of President Kennedy’s vision for a new frontier for the arts. Many of the spaces have been named after historical and personal moments in his life as an expression of the Center’s role as his living memorial.
The Welcome Pavilion is the main entry to all other spaces at the REACH. Boasting massive clear and frosted glass windows, the expansive lobby is home to a welcome desk staffed by Friends volunteers and the Hyannis Port Coffee Bar (visit the website for hours), which is named after the location of the Kennedy family home on Cape Cod.
To view the inside of this space, please take a Guided Tour.
Taking its name from the “Patrol Torpedo” boat that President Kennedy commanded during World War II, PT-109 is a flexible space for meetings or dinners. It has large windows and overlooks the outdoor Victura Deck and small reflecting pool.
Check at the welcome desk for the schedule of public activities.
Named after President Kennedy’s call for America to think big and travel to the moon, the Moonshot Studio is a “makerspace” where families, students, and community groups can come together for interactive workshops, meetings, or camps.
To view the inside of this space, please take a Guided Tour.
Named after one of the five ideals attributed to President Kennedy, this striking and intimate hall with fixed seating is perfect for film screenings, small acoustic ensembles, and discussions. It boasts distinctive acoustic “crinkle” concrete walls and a cherry wood ceiling.
To view the inside of this space, please take a Guided Tour.
The stunningly beautiful Skylight Pavilion features vaulted ceilings over an expansive atrium space with multiple glass skylights and very large glass windows providing views of the Potomac River. The exterior wall facing the Center functions as a large projection screen for movies, simulcasts, and more.
President Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, with the goal of encouraging mutual understanding between Americans and people of other nations and cultures. The Peace Corps Gallery serves as a lobby and gathering space outside of Studios J, F, and K.
To view the inside of these spaces, please take a Guided Tour.
These multi-purpose rooms take their names from President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s initials. Studios J and F are equipped with ballet barres, mirrors, and a ballet-style sprung floor. They have floor-to-ceiling windows through which visitors outside on the Link pathway or inside on the Level A balcony can observe rehearsals. Studio K is the biggest of the three, just larger than the Center’s Opera House stage, with a balcony for observing artists at work or viewing a performance. The Club at Studio K series converts the room into a lounge/cabaret space with a bar for enjoying jazz, Hip Hop, electronica, and comedy shows. All three spaces feature acoustic “crinkle” concrete walls.
To view the inside of this space, please take a Guided Tour.
Caroline Kennedy’s pet pony Macaroni was a gift from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1962. Sardar, an Arabian horse, was given to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as a present from Ayub Khan, the president of Pakistan, in 1962. These state-of-the-art, multipurpose spaces can host both children and adults in exciting hands-on educational activities.
Hammersmith was the name of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s childhood home that served as her wedding venue and the “Summer White House” during the Kennedy administration. Equipped with informal seating, a skylight, and window views of the Potomac, the Hammersmith Lounge is adjacent to Studios J, F, and K and the Macaroni and Sardar Classrooms.
DESCRIBING: Horizontal color image spanning the bottom third of the page.
SYNOPSIS: The left side of the image is a white building with window walls on the first floor. Inside the building are black chairs and small tables. The foreground to the right is a small body of water leading to a white building with a curved wall, that curves from the bottom to the top. A white walkway separates the two buildings and the body of water. The walkway continues past both buildings into the back of the image. In the far distance, there are green trees. The sky is a light blue with darker blue and pink clouds.
CAPTION: River and Skylight Pavilions
CREDIT: Richard Barnes
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Located at the southernmost end of the Kennedy Center campus, the River Pavilion affords fantastic views of the Potomac River. Featuring quotes from President Kennedy etched into frosted glass, this special space can host informal performances and special events. Food service is available from the Victura Park café (visit the website for hours) with casual seating on the outdoor deck by the large reflecting pool and within the Presidential Grove of 35 ginkgo trees.
MAP 1 of 3: The Kennedy Center Campus
DESCRIBING: A map of the campus of the Kennedy Center and the REACH
SYNOPSIS: The map shows the entire campus including the Kennedy Center and the outdoor area known as the REACH. It is oriented west at the top and north to the right. The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts building is at the center of the map. To the west at the top of the map is the Potomac River. A small strip of land and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway lie between the river and the building. To the south at the left is the open space containing the REACH buildings. The landscape is depicted as pale green, the river and water features are blue, the outdoor plazas are pink, the highways are grey, and the buildings are white. Self-Guided Tour stops 19, 23, and 28 through 33 are indicated on the south end of the map with numbered red dots.
IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The shape of the property resembles an aerial view of a boat. At the top of the map is the Potomac River. At the bottom of the map is Interstate 66. In the center of the map is a large white rectangle depicting the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts building. there is a Rideshare / Car drop-off location at the bottom right corner of the building and a KC shuttle location at the bottom left corner of the building. The right side of the building is labeled Hall of State, Opera House, Eisenhower Theater, and Family Theater. The left side of the building is labeled Hall of Nations, Concert Hall, Opera House. between these labels is the entrance Plaza. Directly below the performing arts building is the Metro Bus location. surrounding the building is green space.
The far left side of the map in the green space has multiple locations depicted by a red circle and white numbers on the inside. Going clockwise is River Pavilion (28), JFK's Statue, The Bridge (30), Skylight Pavilion (23), Blue, Video Wall Lawn, The Link (29), Reach Plaza (33), Welcome Pavilion (19), The Reach, Victura Deck (31), Brushstroke, The Reach Gardens, Milk River, The Presidential Grove (32). There are bike racks and parking by the reach Plaza and Milk River.
To the right of the performing arts building is the North Plaza. There is parking available as well as Capital Bikeshare and a bike rack.
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With its fantastic views of the Potomac River, Roosevelt Island, and into Studios J and F, the Link connects the River Plaza to various spaces and buildings at the REACH.
The pedestrian bridge spanning Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway connects the Kennedy Center to the city’s other memorials via the trail running along the Potomac River.
President Kennedy was a lover of the sea. His iconic wooden sailboat, the Victura (Latin for “to conquer”), was purchased when he was 15. The Victura Deck is located just outside of the Welcome Pavilion alongside a reflecting pool, near Roy Lichtenstein’s dynamic sculpture Brushstroke.
At the south end of the campus sits a grove of 35 ginkgo trees. Planted in honor of our 35th president and namesake, John F. Kennedy, it is intended as a place for quiet contemplation. Deborah Butterfield’s sculpture Milk River grazes at the edge of the grove.
The large paved plaza and two expansive lawns and gardens surrounding the three pavilions offer outdoor gathering spaces for community activity, watching a simulcast on the Video Wall, picnicking, or relaxing before a performance. The 130,000 square feet of hardscaping, lawns, and landscaping serve as a massive “green roof” for the REACH. Joel Shapiro’s giant sculpture Blue dances across the lawn.
IMAGE 1 of 2: Russian Lounge
DESCRIBING: A photograph of the Russian Lounge.
SYNOPSIS: A white and tan marble walled room with gray carpeting and a grouping of small round tables. Each table is surrounded by a set of four starkly white chairs with wide curved backs. A Waterford crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Displayed is a large painting entitled “Ideal Landscape," which is nearly the size of the wall it rests against. The painting consists of three panels of mostly blue, brown, and gray tempera paint on linen depicting an abstract landscape of towering buildings.
CAPTION: Russian Lounge
CREDIT: Alain Jaramillo
IMAGE 2 of 2: Grand Foyer
DESCRIBING: A photograph of the Grand Foyer.
SYNOPSIS: Visitors congregate in the Grand Foyer as two artists perform on the Millennium Stage south stage - a simple square stage seen in the far back center of the photograph with purple curtains draped behind the artists and a video projection of their performance above the stage. The Foyer is covered in vibrant red carpeting and is 650 feet long (about two standard city blocks), 40 feet wide, and 60 feet high. On the right side of the photograph, floor to ceiling windows line the Foyer, providing some natural light. Large tan and brown curtains hang at the sides of these windows. On the left side of the photograph, large purple and red banners hang down with gold text that reads “Opera House” and “Concert Hall” to demarcate the entrances from the Foyer to these respected theaters. Hand blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers hang down the center of the Foyer’s ceiling as well as against the walls on both the right and left sides of the Foyer.
CAPTION: Grand Foyer
CREDIT: Ron Blunt
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Many international works of art and artifacts are displayed throughout the building. These gifts represent the support and generosity expressed by many nations on the occasion of the opening of the nation’s living memorial to President Kennedy on September 8, 1971, as well as artwork donated over the years by individuals, foundations, and others.
Not all gifts listed are on view for a Self-Guided Tour.
AFRICA
African Room, located on the Opera House Box Tier, constructed and decorated through the generous contributions of 22 nations, including Ghana, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Swaziland
ARGENTINA
The Phoenix, bronze sculpture by Libero Badii on the Concert Hall First Tier; Combat of Astrobeings No. 1 and Combat of Astrobeings No. 2, two oil paintings by Raquel Forner in the stairwells to the Opera House Box Tier
AUSTRALIA
Six tapestries representing Creation, designed by John Coburn in the Nations Gallery
AUSTRIA
Crystal chandelier and additional light fixtures in the Opera House, made by J. & L. Lobmeyr factory, Vienna, Austria
BELGIUM
Mirrors in the Grand Foyer and Opera House Box Tier
BRAZIL
Caroa, fiberwork sculpture by Jacques Douchez in the Hall of States stairway (temporarily off-site)
CHINA
Verve of China mural and Orchid Pavilion Preface painting in the Chinese Lounge, located on the Eisenhower Theater Box Tier; furniture designed and supervised by Prof. Sun Jingbo and Tang Hui from China Central Academy of Fine Arts, produced by Beijing Lion Art Corporation Ltd. Also on view is Birds of Peace, a small-scale porcelain replica of the sculpture of mute swans given to Chairman Mao Zedong by President Nixon in 1972.
COLOMBIA
Metal sculpture by Eduardo Ramirez on the east lawn
CYPRUS
Eighth-century BCE amphora (temporarily off-site)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Topaz and Ruby, two tapestry reproductions of Alphonse Mucha’s paintings, in the North Opera Tier Lounge
DENMARK
Vibrations, porcelain relief by Inge-Lise Koefoed in the Concert Hall Lobby
EGYPT
Alabaster vase, circa 2600 B.C. (temporarily off-site)
FRANCE
Birds of the Air and Fish of the Sea, two tapestries designed by Henri Matisse; L’Automne (Autumn) and L’Oceanide (Nymph of the Sea), two sculptures by Henri Laurens on the Opera House Box Tier
GERMANY
War or Peace and Amerika, two bronze sculpture panels by Jurgen Weber at the entrance plaza
GREAT BRITAIN
Figure, sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth on the Concert Hall Box Tier
GREECE
Replica of bronze statue of Poseidon on the Opera House First Tier (The original is in the National Archeological Museum, Athens.)
HUNGARY
Porcelain sculpture, eosin glaze technique located on the Concert Hall Box Tier, just outside the Israeli Lounge
IRELAND
Waterford crystal chandelier and three matching sconces in the Russian Lounge of the Opera House
ISRAEL
Artwork and complete furnishings for the Israeli Lounge in the Concert Hall. On view: African walnut wood panels by Nechemia Azaz, ceiling panels by Shraga Weil, and on the door post, a mezuzah
ITALY
The marble used in the construction of the Kennedy Center was pre-cut at the Carrara quarry in Italy, then assembled in Washington, D.C.
JAPAN
Opera House stage curtain and, as a Bicentennial gift to America, the Terrace Theater (renovated in 2018). The Blue Star of Life porcelain vase by Japanese artist “Maestro” Shirakata Yasuhiko is located in the lower lobby of the Terrace Theater.
LUXEMBOURG
Ascension, sculpture by Lucien Wercollier on the Concert Hall Box Tier
MEXICO
Poem to Fire One and Poem to Fire Two, two tapestries by Leonardo Nierman on the Eisenhower Theater Box Tier
NETHERLANDS
17th-century oil painting by P.G. van Roestraeten (temporarily off-site)
NORWAY
Seven Hadeland crystal chandeliers for the Concert Hall
PERU
Transfiguration (Transfiguracion), painting by Antonio Maro in the Hall of Nations stairway (temporarily off-site)
SPAIN
The Crockery Vendor and The Grape Harvest, two tapestries reproduced from original paintings by Goya in the South Opera Tier Lounge; sculpture of Don Quixote by Aurelio Teno on the east lawn
SWEDEN
16 Orrefors crystal chandeliers in the Grand Foyer
SWITZERLAND
Apollo X, 1970, sculpture by Willy Weber in the Concert Hall lobby
URUGUAY
Pie in the Sky, sculpture by Alfredo Halegua (off-site)
DESCRIBING: A photograph at dusk of the video wall against the REACH's Skylight Pavilion.
SYNOPSIS: At dusk, seen through large glass window panes, is a grassy lawn and large white concrete building called the Skylight Pavilion. The pavilion is rectangular, with floor to ceiling glowing frosted windows on the left side. The rest of the pavilion wall is mostly windowless with the exception of another smaller rectangular glowing frosted window located on the upper right side. The grassy lawn in front of the pavilion is mostly flat except at the lower middle-to-right hand corner of the pavilion. Here the grass slopes upward to form a low level hill. Projected against the windowless middle section of the pavilion wall is an image of two people holding hands, with their free arms outstretched as they fly through clouds.
CAPTION: The REACH
CREDIT: Richard Barnes
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The Friends of the Kennedy Center, a corps of dedicated volunteers, make many amenities and services possible, such as information services, gift shops, and tours.
In the Hall of States, you can pick up a map and brochure on the artwork and gifts, learn which performances are playing, and receive Membership information from one of the many volunteers. You may also find out about accessibility for guests with disabilities, first aid, lost and found, and security services. Information is also available at the welcome desk in the REACH Welcome Pavilion.
Located on Level A and in the Hall of States, the Gift Shops offer a unique selection of high-quality merchandise related to the performing arts, including books, CDs, jewelry and accessories, children’s gifts, and more. Online shopping is available 24/7 at shop.Kennedy-Center.org. For more information, call (202) 416-8343.
The Kennedy Center or Campus Highlights
1-hour 15 minute tours departing from Level A Tour Desk
Weekdays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Weekends: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The REACH
1-hour tour departing from the REACH Welcome Desk
Weekdays: 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Weekends: 11 a.m.
Special tours (including Tours for Young People and foreign language requests) can be booked by visitors at Kennedy-Center.org/tours or by calling (202) 416-8340.
Located across from the Concert Hall Box Office and on the Terrace Level near the Terrace Theater. Available 60 minutes in advance of performance times.
The Main Box Office is located in the Hall of States. Box Office hours are 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and noon–9 p.m. Sun. and holidays. The Concert Hall Box Office is open one hour prior to a Concert Hall performance. Tickets may be purchased with cash, checks, travelers’ checks, or major credit cards.
Tickets may also be charged by phone at (202) 467-4600 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. daily (toll-free 800-444-1324).
For groups, call (202) 416-8400 and for subscriptions, call (202) 416-8500, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Tickets may be purchased online at Kennedy-Center.org.
The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar serves dinner on performance evenings and Sunday Brunch. Call (202) 416-8555 for reservations or visit OpenTable.com. The KC Café serves casual lunch and dinner fare. Both restaurants are located off the Nations Gallery on the Terrace Level. Food and beverage service is offered before performances and during intermission at bars in the Grand Foyer and States Gallery. At the REACH, light fare and beverage service are available at Victura Park (River Pavilion) and Hyannis Port (Welcome Pavilion). Visit the website for hours.
Restrooms available to the public are located on A, B, and C parking levels near the elevators and in the States and Nations Galleries on the Terrace Level, as well as in the REACH. Restrooms in the theaters are available to patrons attending performances 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Performance parking is available to all patrons in the Kennedy Center garage on a first-come, first-served basis, pay upon entry, or visit Kennedy-Center.org/parking to purchase discounted pre-paid parking. When purchasing tickets at the Box Office or spending $10 or more at the Gift Shops, up to 2 hours of free parking is available with validation.
The Kennedy Center welcomes people with disabilities.
Our services include:
• Accessible seating, parking, restrooms, and entrances
• Alternate formats of print materials
• Assistive listening devices
• Courtesy wheelchairs
• Sign language-interpreted, captioned, audio-described and sensory-friendly performances, tours, and events.
For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Office at (202) 416-8727 or access@Kennedy-Center.org, or visit Kennedy-Center.org/accessibility.
DESCRIBING: An aerial photograph of the Kennedy Center campus on the banks of the Potomac River viewed from the south.
SYNOPSIS: A series of white buildings nestled among a web of roads and green spaces. The Potomac River flows along the western edge of the grounds. The main Kennedy Center building, a large rectangular structure ringed with gold columns, is farthest away. The tree-lined terraces of the main building extend out over part of Rock Creek Parkway which runs the length of the photo. Three white concrete pavilions, which make up The REACH, are staggered across grassy lawns and are connected to each other via a series of footpaths. Other buildings near the campus are in the background.
CAPTION: The Kennedy Center
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BY METRORAIL: Take the Orange, Blue, or Silver lines to the Foggy Bottom/GWU/Kennedy Center Metro station (at 23rd and I Streets, NW), then ride the free Kennedy Center Shuttle directly to the Kennedy Center. Shuttles run between the Center and the Foggy Bottom/GWU/Kennedy Center station frequently from 9:45 a.m.– 11:30 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 10 a.m.–midnight Fri. and Sat., noon–11 p.m. Sun., and 4–11 p.m. on Federal holidays. Buses are wheelchair-accessible. The Kennedy Center is also a 10-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom/GWU/Kennedy Center Metro Station.
BY METROBUS: A Metrobus route frequents the Kennedy Center every day, including Sundays and holidays. Route 80 drops off and picks up passengers at the Kennedy Center. For details, call Metro information at (202) 637-7000.
BY TAXI: A taxi dispatcher is available to signal cabs and assign patrons from 6 p.m. until 30 minutes after the end of the last performance, and taxis queue in the Plaza each evening to serve patrons. Look for the uniformed dispatcher at the Hall of States entrance.
BY RIDESHARING/CAR: The pick-up/drop-off address is 2700 F St., NW, at the Hall of States entrance. See page 30 for parking information.
Please check the website for any updates in operating hours or closures due to national and local guidelines for safety.
Follow The Kennedy Center on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or Instagram. Kennedy-Center.org #KennedyCenter
IMAGE 1 of 2: The Kennedy Center logo
DESCRIBING: Red and white design of The Kennedy Center logo.
SYNOPSIS: The Kennedy Center logo is an abstract curving K that looks like the profile of a boot with the toe pointing to the right. The logo consists of two red solid shapes separated by a thin vertical column of empty space. The left shape is a vertical rectangle with its top edge cut off at an angle from the lower left to the upper right. The top angle of the right shape continues the top angle of the left shape upward to the right. The right shape has a vertical left side, but the right side curves, making it narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. Surrounded by a white box.
IMAGE 2 of 2: Room full of crowed people
DESCRIBING: A colorful photo of a crowed enjoying a band's performance on the Millennium Stage.
SYNOPSIS: A band in cocktail attire performs on a stage labeled Millennium Stage. The curtains on stage are lit a bright green and the proscenium walls, which appear as stacked cubes angled out towards the audience, glow a purple-ish pink from the inside. In front of the stage, a large crowd of revelers fills the floor. The people closely to one another and hold glasses of wine, take photos with their cell phones, and bat multiple gold, silver, black, and pink balloons above their heads.
CAPTION: Millennium Stage
CREDIT: Lawrence Randall
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BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
Help sustain the performing arts in America by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Kennedy Center. As a thank you for your generous support, you will receive exclusive Members-only benefits that enhance your Kennedy Center experience. Stop by the Box Office to learn more about Membership opportunities, or call Member Services at (202) 416-8310 or visit Kennedy-Center.org/membership.