WASHINGTON — After 14 years on the board of trustees, board chairman David M. Rubenstein is retiring, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced on Monday.
As only the 6th chairman in Kennedy Center's history, Rubenstein was elected as chairman in 2010 and re-elected each year since. Originally appointed to the Kennedy Center board by President George W. Bush, he has subsequently been reappointed by Presidents Obama and Biden.
A search committee has already been identified and will begin the search process, in coordination with the White House, for his successor.
In addition to hiring the Kennedy Center’s current president, Deborah F. Rutter, in 2014, cornerstones of his tenure include the building of the REACH (a 72,000-square-foot arts innovation annex), expansion of the Center’s year-round programming to include hip-hop and comedy, increased access to the arts for underrepresented communities, a renewed commitment to broadcast programming, and new amenities for the public to experience and interact with the living Presidential memorial to John F. Kennedy.
Beyond his board leadership, Rubenstein will be remembered for his generosity. At $111 million, officials say Rubenstein is the largest individual contributor to the Center in its 52-year history.
“Jill and I congratulate David on his retirement as chairman of the board of the Kennedy Center,” said President Joe Biden in an official White House statement. “David understands the power of the arts to bring people together and strengthen our democracy. His commitment to making the arts more accessible to more Americans—and to ensuring the Kennedy Center reflects the diversity that is our nation’s strength—will benefit our country for generations to come.”
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