Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 day ago
Kennedy Center names Rick Canny artistic director amid staff concerns
The Kennedy Center has named Rick Canny, a talent manager, as its new artistic director.
The center in Washington, D.C., has been closed to the public since September, though it says it will keep a small amount of public and educational programming.
Canny has worked as a consultant for the center since shortly after President Trump became its chairman in February 2025.
The center says he advised on events including the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize, and will continue those duties in his new role.
In a March memo, the center's then-senior director of music programming raised concerns about Canny's fees and expenses, including a $30,000 consulting fee in one month in early 2026.
The center said that fee did not reflect Canny's current agreement and that his travel expenses had been reviewed.
The center's closure is being challenged in federal court, while the institution says some programming will continue.
The Kennedy Center has named talent manager Rick Canny as its artistic director despite staff concerns about his consulting fees and expenses.
Executive director Matt Floca said Canny would advise leadership on artistic strategy, business practices, talent curation, ticketing and programming sponsorships.
Canny has consulted for the center through his firm, Favor the Artist, since April 2025.
An internal memo by then-senior director of music programming Sammy Miller raised concerns about fees and travel expenses charged by Canny.
The center said a reported $30,000 fee did not reflect Canny’s current agreement and that his travel expenses had been reviewed.
- Who
- Rick Canny, a talent manager, was named artistic director. Matt Floca announced the appointment.
- What
- The Kennedy Center named Canny artistic director, while staff concerns about his consulting fees and expenses have been reported.
- When
- The appointment was announced in an email sent Thursday, according to NPR. The article was published Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Floca said Canny would advise leadership on artistic strategy, business practices, talent curation, ticketing and programming sponsorships.
Kennedy Center staff raising concerns
Kennedy Center
Fees and expenses
Kennedy Center staff raising concerns
In a March memo, then-senior director of music programming Sammy Miller raised concerns about Canny’s fees and expenses, including travel.
Kennedy Center
The center said a reported $30,000 fee did not reflect Canny’s current agreement and that his travel expenses had been reviewed.
Rick will advise me and the broader leadership team on artistic strategy, business practices, presenting and talent curation, ticketing and pricing models, media opportunities, and programming sponsorships.
Since April 2025, Rick has worked with the Center as a consultant through his firm, Favor the Artist, including serving as creative lead for the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize. He will continue in this capacity while serving as the Center's Artistic Director.
did not reflect Mr. Canny's current agreement
President Trump became the Kennedy Center's chairman.
Canny began consulting for the Kennedy Center through his firm, Favor the Artist.
Then-senior director of music programming Sammy Miller wrote a memo raising concerns about Canny’s fees and expenses.
Matt Floca announced in an email to high-level staff that Canny would be the center’s artistic director.
The center told The New York Times that a reported $30,000 fee did not reflect Canny’s current agreement and that his travel expenses had been reviewed.
- Appointment
- Rick Canny named artistic director
- Announced by
- Matt Floca, executive director and chief operating officer
- Consulting firm
- Favor the Artist
- Consultant since
- April 2025
- Fee cited in memo
- $30,000 in one month in early 2026
- Travel expenses cited
- Two first-class round-trip flights between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Sources
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