Jonathan L. Fischer

Weirdly I think it may have always been missing. It’s a separate item on the section list. (Not saying there’s anything *good* about what just happened to the arts coverage….)

Column | At a broken Kennedy Center, the National Symphony begins a new journey The NSO is losing its home — after becoming a world-class orchestra.

Proud to see my team still doing the work. Fire and beauty from @philipkennicott.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

It is worth noting the Post slashed the bulk of its arts coverage, including most of the critics, ending a great tradition in journalism.

I consider 2025 my finest professional year. The Post just laid me off.

Kennedy Center workers still in the dark as orchestra scouts other venues The center’s unions, leaders of the National Symphony Orchestra and lawmakers across the aisle reacted Tuesday to President Donald Trump’s planned closure of the center.

KenCen workers are worried about layoffs and attempts to weaken unions following Trump’s announcement of plans close it down for renovations. At one point last year, they said, new execs offered free parking to everyone on staff who wasn’t in a union. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Column | The grave risk of Trump’s Kennedy Center shutdown Even in the best-case scenario, the president’s plan will only strain the performing arts ecosystem required for the center to thrive.

A two-year closure could be existential for the Kennedy Center, and it's unnecessary for the repairs proposed. Is there a larger agenda, including repurposing the memorial to the 35th President to serve the needs of the 47th? www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A letter obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus.

"Crisis." "Catastrophe." "Chaos." Just three words people used to describe the state of the Kennedy Center after Trump's announcement that he wants to close it for two years for construction.

Our latest: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A letter obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus.

But: The Kennedy Center plans to continue funding the National Symphony Orchestra, and has agreed to find it alternative places to perform, according to an email obtained by The Washington Post. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A letter obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus.

NEWS: The Trump plan to close down the Kennedy Center caught the staff, artists and members of the board by surprise. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Column | The most important sound at this year’s Grammys? Free speech. With trophies in hand, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and SZA spoke out against ICE during an awards show where the musical performances felt secondary.

Column: Politics are often treated like radioactive material on Grammy night — divisive complications that the healing power of pop can neutralize.

But at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, the world outside had become too loud to ignore.

Our Sunday section.

Trump plans to close Kennedy Center for about two years, starting in July Under a proposal by President Donald Trump, the closure could begin July 4, with construction beginning immediately.

Our report on tonight's shocking news from Trump about the Kennedy Center www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

Column | What if there is no ‘behind the scenes’ for Melania Trump? “Melania,” the new Amazon documentary about the enigmatic first lady Melania Trump, mostly celebrates her zealous dedication to her external presentation.

HESSE on MELANIA www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial The president is eying a plot of land near Memorial Bridge. The art critic who proposed the idea called for a smaller arch or for Trump to pick a new site.

Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

It’s Conan O’Brien’s big night — at Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center At this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony honoring Conan O’Brien, a tribute to comedy may compete with the drama in the building.

Catherine O'Hara was originally supposed to receive the Mark Twain Prize from the Kennedy Center in 2025. (She declined just after the 2024 election, citing a conflict.) www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

The Washington Post's International, Immigration, National Security and Climate journalists – reporters, writers, editors, photographers, videographers – work in concert to produce independent, revelatory reporting that holds power to account wherever in the world it is wielded

go.bsky.app/M6MFQsC

Kennedy Center’s new programming head resigns days after hire was announced Kevin Couch, appointed the Kennedy Center’s senior vice president of artistic programming, resigned less than two weeks after his hire was announced.

Kennedy Center’s new programming head resigns days after hire was announced www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

"The GSA 'intends to retain ownership' of both the statue of Benjamin Franklin located in front of the building and the vast sculpture in the atrium by American installation artist Robert Irwin..."

Government moves to sell Old Post Office, once home to Trump hotel The building’s tower, offering sweeping city views, is closed to the public as the effort to shrink the federal footprint in D.C. is underway.

The government moves to sell the Old Post Office, former home of the Trump hotel: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center The pioneering composer announced that “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message” of his Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln.”

NEWS: Philip Glass pulled a world-premiere symphony from the Kennedy Center. "Lincoln" was set to be performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in June. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

America’s oldest warship, sunk in 1776, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover Sunk by the British in 1776, raised in 1935 as a tourist attraction, the “Philadelphia” -- the oldest intact American warship -- is readied for a birthday.

America’s oldest warship, the Philadelphia, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover www.washingtonpost.com/history/2026...

More history exhibits pulled from national parks, including Grand Canyon A new wave of takedown orders from Trump officials targets signs about climate and Native Americans at several national parks, including Big Bend and Glacier.

More history exhibits pulled from nationals parks, including Grand Canyon www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

Our Sunday section is a heart-warmer (perhaps the thing you need this weekend).

Inside Nick Reiner’s life of privilege, pills and pain Friends say Reiner bounced constantly between rehab centers and his family’s Los Angeles mansion, where he is accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele.

In our pages, from Amy Kaufman: Nick Reiner's life of privilege, pills and pain. www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

Column | The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICE An image like this could once change history. Can one still?

Philip Kennicott using the tools of visual arts criticism to dissect ICE’s immorality. Incredible piece.

Column | The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICE An image like this could once change history. Can one still?

Read @philipkennicott.bsky.social on the photograph of a 5-year-old in ICE custody, and the moral revulsion images like this used to inspire www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia Park staff dismantled an exhibit about George Washington’s slave ownership amid a wider push to remove information on racism, sexism and climate change.

Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

The stunning art trove hidden in a D.C. building marked by Trump for disposal Packed with frescoes, paintings and reliefs, the federal government’s Cohen Building has been called “the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.” Advocates fear these works could be at risk.

A deep dive on D.C.'s Cohen Building -- the "Sistine Chapel of the New Deal" -- from @kelseyables.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Oscar nominations: ‘Sinners,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ lead with most nods See the full list of nominees for the 2026 Oscars ceremony.

Our beautiful-looking list of this year's Oscar nominees: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

White House fences off park as Trump begins new building project Officials said Lafayette Square, the public park next to the White House, will be improved as part of Trump’s America 250 celebration.

Trump has begun another building project: overhauling Lafayette Square, the public park outside the White House.

Workers have fenced off the park. Project is expected to run through May.

w @oliviacgeorge.bsky.social