WASHINGTON D.C. – Musician Ben Folds has sharply criticized recent changes at the Kennedy Center, citing a “partisan takeover” as the reason for his departure and expressing doubt about a future return.The Kennedy Center unveiled its 2025 honorees on Wednesday, a list including Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, and Kiss.
Folds clarified that his issue isn’t with the politics themselves, but with the breach of a traditional separation between politics, government, and the arts institution. “It wasn’t the politics so much as it’s a partisan takeover, which is a very authoritarian thing to do,” Folds said. “You’re supposed to have a firewall between politics, the government, and the Arts Center.”
That “firewall,” according to Folds, was compromised approximately six months ago.
Since then, Folds alleges the current governance has “run all [the donors] off.” He emphasized the common misunderstanding regarding funding, stating that federal taxes contribute only around six percent of arts funding, with the remaining 94 percent originating from donations.
“It’s pretty bad,” he summarized the current situation.
Folds’ involvement with the National Symphony Orchestra was driven by a specific mission, one he believes is now jeopardized. “The reason I was there is because it had a mission – or multiple missions. It was different than working at another venue,” he explained. “The mission can’t be to further a political agenda.”
He described a core goal of providing meaningful cultural experiences, especially for young people. “All kinds of kids need to look up on stage and see themselves just ruling on stage. Just to go, ‘God, I never saw someone that looked like me on stage, and they’re like the king of the room right now. This is amazing – I could go out to do that for a living,'” he continued. “That’s what it’s for. And to rage against that, that takes some fucking little balls, man.”
Folds’ comments come as the kennedy Center, located in Washington, D.C., navigates a period of transition under new leadership. The institution, established in 1971 as a living memorial to President john F. Kennedy, has historically aimed to present a diverse range of artistic programming and educational outreach.
At least somebody’s “Still Fighting It.”
The Kennedy Center’s 2025 honorees, revealed on Wednesday, also include Jeff Lynne and Dianne Reeves, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.