The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has officially adopted red, white, and blue exterior lighting as a permanent fixture—transforming one of the nation’s most iconic cultural landmarks into a nightly symbol of American pride and unity.
Under the leadership of Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, the decision marks a bold shift toward celebrating American exceptionalism through the arts. Grenell, a longtime advocate for patriotic reform within national institutions, described the lighting as “a permanent tribute to the American spirit—resilient, proud, and free.”
The move is part of a broader cultural restoration effort that began under President Trump, which included a restructuring of the Kennedy Center’s board to realign the institution with its mission as America’s national stage—not a political soapbox.
Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations at the Kennedy Center, emphasized the importance of the new lighting: “This is more than aesthetics. It’s a nightly reminder of the values that bring us together—freedom, unity, and the enduring greatness of this country.”
Previously, the Kennedy Center rotated its lighting to reflect various causes and international events, including rainbow colors for the Kennedy Center Honors, yellow and blue for Ukraine, and purple and amber for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial. But this new decision marks a turning point—solidifying the red, white, and blue as a permanent emblem of national identity and cultural pride.
Critics from the Left have voiced predictable outrage, accusing the Center of politicizing its mission. But the numbers tell a different story. Since the reforms began, the Kennedy Center has experienced a surge in attendance, recently breaking its all-time public event record with more than 11,000 guests—an astounding 76% of whom were first-time visitors.
Supporters say the decision reflects the Center’s renewed commitment to accessibility, patriotism, and bringing the arts back to the American people—not just elite cultural circles in Washington.
“This is about reclaiming our institutions,” one official said. “For too long, national landmarks have been used to signal global agendas or political ideologies. The Kennedy Center now stands as a symbol of America—for everyone.”
As night falls over Washington, D.C., the glowing red, white, and blue lights of the Kennedy Center now serve as a daily salute to the nation itself—a powerful reminder that patriotism still has a place in America’s most treasured institutions.