Washington National Opera Plans To Depart The Kennedy Center

The Washington National Opera plans to leave the Kennedy Center, one of the most significant departures from the arts institution since Donald Trump‘s takeover of the space.

“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement to The New York Times. It also has set up its own website.

The opera has performed at the center since it first opened in 1971.

But after Trump wrested control of the board just weeks into his second term, a number of artists have canceled performances, while the Times and The Washington Post have done extensive reports on attendance declines.

Last month, the board of the Kennedy Center, now dominated by supporters of the president, voted to add Trump to its name. That has led to additional artists canceling shows, including ones scheduled to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, while composer Stephen Schwartz said last week that he would not take part in a Washington National Opera Gala that had been scheduled for May 16.

The center said that Schwartz’s participation had not been finalized, although it had been selling tickets on its website.

The Washington National Opera resolution calls for starting negotiations with Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell to end the affiliation agreement, per the times. The opera cited declining attendance and donations as a reason for the departure.

The renaming of the Kennedy Center is being challenged in court by one of its ex offico board members, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH). Her lawsuit contended that only Congress could change its name, given that it was designated to honor John F. Kennedy in 1964.

More to come.