Kennedy Center names Rick Canny artistic director despite staff complaints

The short version

• The Kennedy Center named talent manager Rick Canny as its new artistic director, according to an email from Matt Floca to senior staff.[NPR]
• Canny has consulted for the center since shortly after Trump became its chairman in February 2025, and staff raised complaints about his business practices.[NPR]
• An internal memo by Sammy Miller said Canny charged $30,000 in consulting fees in one month of early 2026; the center says that fee does not reflect his current agreement.[NPR]
• Trump has said the center lost hundreds of millions of dollars, but he has not offered evidence for that claim.[NPR]

Key facts

• The Kennedy Center named talent manager Rick Canny as its new artistic director.[NPR]
• Canny's appointment came despite staff complaints about his business practices as a consultant for the center.[NPR]
• Matt Floca, the center's executive director and chief operating officer, announced Canny's appointment in an email to high-level staff.[NPR]
• Canny has served as a consultant to the Kennedy Center since shortly after Trump became the institution's chairman in February 2025.[NPR]
• Sammy Miller's internal memo said Canny charged the center $30,000 in consulting fees during one month in early 2026.[NPR]
• The center said the $30,000 fee did not reflect Canny's current agreement but did not provide specifics.[NPR]
• Trump said the arts institution has lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and reporting says he has not offered evidence to support that claim.[NPR]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The Kennedy Center names new artistic director, amid concernsNPR - Top News