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92-797: BAA won the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts , the National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award for the 2009–2010 school year from the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network . Construction of new facilities at 174 Ipswich Street commenced July 1, 2018, leading to relocation of both Boston Arts Academy and the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. BAA is Boston's only public school dedicated to

184-457: A Grammy Award in 1996. The Kennedy Center is the only U.S. institution that presents a free performance 365 days a year, daily at 6pm (12 noon on December 24). The Millennium Stage, created as part of the center's Performing Arts for Everyone initiative in 1997 and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs , features a broad spectrum of performing arts, from dance and jazz, to chamber music and folk, comedy, storytelling and theater. In

276-533: A Pulitzer Prize-winner; William Bolcom 's Sixth Symphony, Roger Reynolds 's george WASHINGTON , and Michael Daugherty 's UFO , a concerto for solo percussion and orchestra. In addition to its regular season concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra presents outreach, education, and pops programs, as well as concerts at Wolf Trap each year. The annual American Residencies for the Kennedy Center

368-593: A U.S. senator for the seventeen-day overlap before Bill Clinton's term came to an end. Established in 1912, the First Ladies Collection has been one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian Institution . The original exhibition opened in 1914 and was one of the first at the Smithsonian to prominently feature women. Originally focused largely on fashion, the exhibition now delves deeper into

460-476: A commissioning program for new ballet and dance works. These works have been created by America's foremost choreographers—Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch , and Merce Cunningham—for leading American dance companies including American Ballet Theatre , Ballet West , Houston Ballet , Pacific Northwest Ballet , Pennsylvania Ballet , and the San Francisco Ballet . The Kennedy Center formerly supported and produced

552-406: A committee of five U.S. historians. The Kennedy Center presents festivals celebrating cities, countries, and regions of the world. The festivals are filled with a wide range of performing arts, visual arts, cuisine, and multi-media. In 2008, the center presented an exploration of the culture of Japan entitled Japan! culture + hyperculture . The 2009 Arab festival was an unprecedented exploration of

644-507: A free performance on March 1, 1997. In 1999, the center began web-casting each night's live performance, and continues to archive and maintain each event in a database of over 3,000 performances which may be accessed via the center's website. Performing Arts for Everyone initiatives also include low- and no-cost tickets available to performances on every stage of the Kennedy Center, and several outreach programs designed to increase access to Kennedy Center tickets and performances. An initiative of

736-850: A global fashion icon: her style was copied by commercial manufacturers and imitated by many young women, and she was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1965. Mamie Eisenhower was named one of the twelve best-dressed women in the country by the New York Dress Institute every year that she was First Lady. The "Mamie Look" involved a full-skirted dress, charm bracelets, pearls, little hats, and bobbed, banged hair. Michelle Obama also received significant attention for her fashion choices: style writer Robin Givhan praised her in The Daily Beast , arguing that

828-538: A national cultural center dates to 1933 when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt discussed ideas for the Emergency Relief and Civil Works Administration to create employment for unemployed actors during the Great Depression . Congress held hearings in 1935 on plans to establish a Cabinet level Department of Science, Art and Literature, and to build a monumental theater and arts building on Capitol Hill near

920-470: A new pipe organ in 2012. The Opera House, in the middle, has approximately 2,347 seats. Its interior features include walls covered in red velvet, a distinctive red and gold silk curtain, given by the Japanese government, and Lobmeyr crystal chandelier with matching pendants, a gift from the government of Austria . It is the major opera, ballet, and large-scale musical venue of the center, and closed during

1012-643: A new production of Ragtime in 2009. The Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays has provided critical support in the development of 135 new theatrical works. In 2011, a new production of Follies starring Bernadette Peters opened at the Eisenhower Theater, and transferred to Broadway that fall. Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have been awarded annually by the center 's Board of Trustees . Each year, five artists or groups are honored for their lifetime contributions to American culture and

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1104-481: A range of sectors, from fashion to public opinion on policy, as well as advocacy for female empowerment . The use of the title First Lady to describe the spouse or hostess of an executive began in the United States. In the early days of the republic, there was not a generally accepted title for the wife of the president. Many early first ladies expressed their own preference for how they were addressed, including

1196-611: A relative to act as White House hostess. While the household always had domestic staff, since the early 20th century, the first lady has been assisted by her event staff, which has grown over the years to include communications, personal, and program staff. Her office is now known as the Office of the First Lady and is headquartered in the East Wing of the White House . Jill Biden has served as

1288-464: A staff to support these activities. Lady Bird Johnson pioneered environmental protection and beautification. Pat Nixon encouraged volunteerism and traveled extensively abroad; Betty Ford supported women's rights; Rosalynn Carter aided those with mental disabilities; Nancy Reagan founded the Just Say No drug awareness campaign; Barbara Bush promoted literacy; Hillary Clinton sought to reform

1380-677: Is a program unique to the National Symphony Orchestra and the center. The center sends the Orchestra to a different state each year for an intensive period of performances and teaching encompassing full orchestral, chamber, and solo concerts, master classes and other teaching sessions. The Orchestra has given these residencies in 20 states so far: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada, and Wyoming/Montana. The NSO recording of John Corigliano 's Of Rage and Remembrance won

1472-613: Is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The venue reopened in October 2008, following a 16-month renovation which altered the color scheme and seating arrangements. Other performance venues in the center include: The Kennedy Center offers one of the few open-air rooftop terraces in Washington, D.C.; it is free of charge to the public from 10:00 a.m. until midnight each day, except when closed for private events. The wide terrace provides views in all four directions overlooking

1564-802: Is known for its annual production of the ballet " The Nutcracker ". Over the years, it has been performed by various different companies throughout the United States. The Kansas City Ballet performed "The Nutcracker" at the Kennedy Center in November 2022. In recent years the Kennedy Center has expanded its public education programs nationwide. The 2005 opening of the Family Theater has helped achieve this. The 2008–2009 season programming for Performances for Young Audiences reached more than 100 performances for young people and their families and over 110 performances for school audiences. The season included four Kennedy Center-commissioned world premieres: The Trumpet of

1656-462: Is make the arts a critical component in every child's education. CETA, which stands for Changing Education Through the Arts, creates professional development opportunities for teachers and school administrators. Each year over 700 teachers participate in approximately 60 courses that focus on ways to integrate the arts into their teaching. The Kennedy Center's CETA program also partners with sixteen schools in

1748-566: Is part of the center's Arab festival, Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World . Theater for Young Audiences on Tour toured with two nationally touring productions of The Phantom Tollbooth and Blues Journey . On June 8, 2016, it was announced that the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences-commissioned musical Elephant & Piggie's We are in a Play!, with book and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, transferred to

1840-596: Is the largest performance space in the Kennedy Center and is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra . A 1997 renovation brought a high-tech acoustical canopy, handicap- accessible locations on every level, and new seating sections (onstage boxes, chorister seats, and parterre seats). The Hadeland crystal chandeliers, given by the Norwegian government, were repositioned to provide a clearer view. Canadian organbuilder Casavant Frères constructed and installed

1932-710: The Art Tatum Piano Panorama, named after Dr. Taylor's mentor; the Louis Armstrong Legacy, highlighting vocalists; the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, the first festival by a major institution promoting outstanding female jazz artists; Beyond Category, featuring artists whose work transcends genre; the Platinum Series, with internationally acclaimed headliners; Jazz Ambassadors with

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2024-578: The Ford Foundation , and approximately $ 500,000 from the Kennedy family . Other major donors included J. Willard Marriott , Marjorie Merriweather Post , John D. Rockefeller III , and Robert W. Woodruff , as well as many corporate donors. Foreign countries provided gifts to the Kennedy Center, including a gift of 3,700 tons of Carrara marble from Italy (worth $ 1.5 million) from the Italian government , which

2116-599: The Kennedy Center ) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It was named in 1964 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy . Opened on September 8, 1971, the center hosts many different genres of performance art, such as theater, dance, orchestras, jazz , pop, psychedelic , and folk music . Authorized by

2208-784: The Rosslyn skyline in Arlington County, Virginia , to the west; the Potomac River and National Airport to the south; the Washington Harbor and the Watergate complex to the north; and the Lincoln Memorial , Department of State buildings, George Washington University and the Saudi embassy to the east. World premiere performances of Kennedy Center-commissioned works have been offered through

2300-559: The Supreme Court building. A 1938 congressional resolution called for construction of a "public building which shall be known as the National Cultural Center " near Judiciary Square , but nothing materialized. The idea for a national theater resurfaced in 1950, when U.S. Representative Arthur George Klein of New York introduced a bill to authorize funds to plan and build a cultural center. The bill included provisions that

2392-521: The Suzanne Farrell Ballet in performances at the center and on extended tours. The center sponsors two annual dance residency programs for young people; Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem Residency Program, both now in their second decade. The Kennedy Center's Contemporary Dance series offers a wide range of artistic perspectives, from the foremost masters of

2484-548: The United States Department of State , sending musicians on worldwide goodwill tours (1998–2004); the KC Jazz Club, a highly praised intimate setting; and Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Club, highlighting up-and-coming talent. Kennedy Center and NPR annually collaborated on the beloved holiday broadcast 'NPR's Piano Jazz Christmas', until the retirement of host Marian McPartland, and hence the show, in 2011. Since 2003,

2576-447: The War of 1812 . Madison set the standard for the ladyship and her actions were the model for nearly every first lady until Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s. Roosevelt traveled widely and spoke to many groups, often voicing personal opinions to the left of the president's. She authored a weekly newspaper column and hosted a radio show. Jacqueline Kennedy led an effort to redecorate and restore

2668-405: The president of the United States , concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the United States. The first lady of the United States is the hostess of the White House . Historically, when a president has been unmarried or a widower, he has usually asked

2760-420: The 1958 National Cultural Center Act of Congress, which requires that its programming be sustained through private funds, the center represents a public–private partnership . Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, almost entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. The original building, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone ,

2852-718: The 2003/2004 season for extensive renovations which provided a revised seating arrangement and redesigned entrances at the orchestra level. It is the home of the Washington National Opera and the annual Kennedy Center Honors . The Eisenhower Theater, on the north side, seats about 1,161 and is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower , who signed the National Cultural Center Act into law on September 2, 1958. It primarily hosts plays and musicals, smaller-scale operas, ballet, and contemporary dance. The theater contains an orchestra pit for up to 35 musicians that

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2944-465: The 2007–2008 season, to name a few. The Kennedy Center at 50 , a concert to celebrate the center's 50th anniversary, was held on September 14, 2021, and aired on PBS on October 1, 2021. Audra McDonald hosted, and First lady Jill Biden gave opening remarks. First Lady of the United States The first lady of the United States ( FLOTUS ) is a title typically held by the wife of

3036-407: The 45 presidents of the United States have been males, and all have either had their wives, or a female hostess, assume the role of first lady. Thus, a male equivalent of the title of first lady has never been needed; in 2016, as Hillary Clinton became the first woman to win a major party's presidential nomination, questions were raised as to what her husband Bill would be titled if she were to win

3128-542: The Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 presidential election . Had Harris' presidential campaign been successful, Emhoff would presumably have been granted this title. However, Harris lost the election, again rendering this a moot point. The position of the first lady is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties. Nonetheless, first ladies have held a highly visible position in American society. The role of

3220-591: The First Lady is an entity of the White House Office, a branch of the Executive Office of the President . When First Lady Hillary Clinton decided to pursue a run for Senator of New York, she set aside her duties as first lady and moved to Chappaqua, New York , to establish state residency. She resumed her duties as first lady after winning her senatorial campaign, and retained her duties as both first lady and

3312-483: The Hall of Nations are both 250-foot-long (76 m), 63-foot-high (19 m) corridors. The building has drawn criticism about its location (far away from Washington Metro stops), and for its scale and form , although it has also drawn praise for its acoustics , and its terrace overlooking the Potomac River. In her book On Architecture , Ada Louise Huxtable called it " gemütlich Speer ". Cyril M. Harris designed

3404-447: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1964, following the assassination of President Kennedy . The National Cultural Center Board of Trustees, a group President Eisenhower established on January 29, 1959, led fundraising. Fundraising efforts were not successful, with only $ 13,425 raised in the first three years. President John F. Kennedy was interested in bringing culture to

3496-639: The Kennedy Center Opera House September 10, 1971. The Eisenhower Theater was inaugurated October 18, 1971, with a performance of A Doll's House starring Claire Bloom . Architect Edward Durell Stone designed the Kennedy Center. Overall, the building is 100 feet (30 m) high, 630 feet (190 m) long, and 300 feet (91 m) wide. The Kennedy Center features a 630-foot-long (190 m), 63-foot-high (19 m) grand foyer, with 16 hand-blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers (a gift from Sweden) and red carpeting . The Hall of States and

3588-480: The Kennedy Center appointed Dr. Billy Taylor as Artistic Advisor for Jazz, and his first installation was his own radio show Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Center . Featuring his trio and guest artists in performance and discussion, the series ran for seven seasons on NPR . Since Taylor's appointment in 1994, the center has initiated numerous performance programs to promote jazz on a national stage, featuring leading international artists and rising stars, including:

3680-437: The Kennedy Center's auditoriums and their acoustics. A key consideration is that many aircraft fly along the Potomac River and over the Kennedy Center, as they take off and land at the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport . Helicopter traffic over the Kennedy Center is also fairly high. To keep out this noise, the Kennedy Center was designed as a box within a box, giving each auditorium an extra outer shell. After

3772-775: The Kennedy Center's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. Since its establishment in 1969, KCACTF has reached more than 17.5 million theatergoing students and teachers nationwide. The Kennedy Center's CETA program's mission

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3864-559: The Kennedy Center. Some of these include: The Kennedy Center regularly hosts special Inauguration Day events and galas during the start of each presidential term. During the United States Bicentennial , the Kennedy Center hosted numerous special events throughout 1976, including six commissioned plays. The center hosted free performances by groups from each state. In December 1976, Mikhail Baryshnikov 's version of The Nutcracker ballet played for two weeks. In 1977,

3956-929: The Millennium Stage, the Conservatory Project is a semi-annual event occurring in February and May that is designed to present the best young musical artists in classical, jazz, musical theater, and opera from leading undergraduate and graduate conservatories, colleges and universities. The Kennedy Center hosts residencies for artists to collaborate with the center's performing ensembles, programmers, and community initiatives. The center holds positions for Composer-in-Residence, Education Artist-in-Residence, and Culture Artist-in-Residence. The current artists-in-residence are The Roots , author Jacqueline Woodson , composer Carlos Simon , and pianist Robert Glasper . The center has co-produced more than 300 new works of theater over

4048-767: The Off-Broadway New Victory Theater in January 2017. Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will continue to present Teddy Bear Concerts throughout its seasons. During these concerts, children aged three to five bring their favorite stuffed animal to interactive musical programs featuring members of the NSO. Members of the NSO present NSO Ensemble Concerts, connecting music with various school subjects such as science and math, Kinderkonzerts, introducing kids to orchestral instruments and classical composers, as well as NSO Family Concerts. Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens,

4140-653: The Opera House hosted George Bernard Shaw 's Caesar and Cleopatra with Rex Harrison and Elizabeth Ashley . The American Ballet Theatre has also frequently performed at the Kennedy Center. The troupe's 2004 production of Swan Lake , choreographed by Kevin McKenzie , was taped there, shown on PBS in June 2005, and released on DVD shortly after. Productions of The Lion King and Trevor Nunn 's production of My Fair Lady (choreographed by Matthew Bourne ) were presented in

4232-634: The Swan , a musical adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman from the book by E.B. White with music by Jason Robert Brown ; Mermaids, Monsters, and the World Painted Purple , a new play by Marco Ramirez; Unleashed! The Secret Lives of White House Pets , a new play by Allyson Currin in collaboration with the White House Historical Association; and OMAN...O man! , a new dance production conceived and directed by Debbie Allen and

4324-481: The United States. During her lifetime, she was often referred to as "Lady Washington". Since the 1900s, the role of first lady has changed considerably. It has come to include involvement in political campaigns, management of the White House, championship of social causes, and representation of the president at official and ceremonial occasions. Additionally, over the years individual first ladies have held influence in

4416-701: The Washington DC Metro area to develop long-range plan for arts integration at their school. Two of these schools, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School in Kensington, MD and Woodburn Elementary School for the Fine and Communicative Arts in Falls Church, Virginia serve as Research and Development schools for CETA. Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell is a three-week summer ballet intensive for international pre-professional ballerinas ages 14–18. Suzanne Farrell , one of

4508-402: The White House. Many first ladies became significant fashion trendsetters. Some have exercised a degree of political influence by virtue of being an important adviser to the president. Over the course of the 20th century, it became increasingly common for first ladies to select specific causes to promote, usually ones that are not politically divisive. It is common for the first lady to hire

4600-455: The artist four years to sculpt the two reliefs in plaster, creating 200 castings, and another two years for the foundry in Berlin to cast the pieces. In 1994, the Smithsonian Institution 's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program surveyed War or Peace and America and described them as being well maintained. Another sculpture Don Quixote by Aurelio Teno occupies a site near the northeast corner of

4692-600: The arts and arts education in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . 42°20′49″N 71°05′38″W  /  42.3469°N 71.0938°W  / 42.3469; -71.0938 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (officially known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts , and commonly referred to as

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4784-411: The arts. The school day has no sports, yet is eight hours, two hours longer than normal schools, to allow for classes in the arts disciplines. BAA was also Boston's first full-inclusion high school; students with disabilities are fully integrated into the school program. Although admission is academic-blind, eighth graders must audition to be accepted to the performing arts program. In 2007, only 27% of

4876-577: The board of trustees of the National Cultural Center, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts . Near the end of her husband's presidency , Hillary Clinton became the first first lady to seek political office, when she ran for United States Senate . During the campaign, her daughter Chelsea took over much of the first lady's role. Victorious, Clinton served as junior senator from New York from 2001 to 2009, when she resigned to become President Obama's secretary of state . Later, she

4968-593: The building. King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain gave the sculpture to the United States for its Bicentennial , June 3, 1976. The Kennedy Center has three main theaters: the Concert Hall, the Opera House, and the Eisenhower Theater. The Concert Hall, located at the south end of the center, seats 2,465 including chorister seats and stage boxes, and has a seating arrangement similar to that used in many European halls such as Musikverein in Vienna. The Concert Hall

5060-516: The center hosted a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, Jazz in Our Time, which bestowed the center's Living Jazz Legend Award to over 30 revered artists. During Dr. Taylor's tenure, the center has created recognized educational initiatives, including national jazz satellite distance-learning programs; adult lecture series; master classes and workshops with national artists and local metropolitan Washington, D.C. students; and Betty Carter 's Jazz Ahead—continuing

5152-448: The center would prohibit any discrimination of cast or audience. In 1955, the Stanford Research Institute was commissioned to select a site and provide design suggestions for the center. From 1955 to 1958, Congress debated the idea amid much controversy. A bill was finally passed in Congress in the summer of 1958 and on September 4, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the National Cultural Center Act which provided momentum for

5244-526: The center's jazz programs have been regularly broadcast on NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater . Recent highlights, produced by the center, have included Great Vibes, A Salute to Lionel Hampton (1995); Billy Taylor's 80th Birthday Celebration (2002); Nancy Wilson , A Career Celebration (2003); Michel Legrand with Patti Austin , part of the center's Festival of France (2004); A Tribute to Shirley Horn (2004); James Moody 's 80th Birthday (2005); and Benny Golson at 80 (2009). In March 2007,

5336-414: The contributions of first ladies to the and American society. In 2008, "First Ladies at the Smithsonian" opened at the National Museum of American History as part of its reopening year celebration. That exhibition served as a bridge to the museum's expanded exhibition on first ladies' history that opened on November 19, 2011. "The First Ladies" explores the unofficial but important position of first lady and

5428-416: The culture of the 22 Arab countries in the League of Arab States, titled Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World . In 2011, the Kennedy Center presented maximum INDIA , a three-week-long celebration of the arts and culture of the sub-continent. Since its establishment in September 1971, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has showcased jazz in solo, various ensembles, and big band settings. In 1994,

5520-458: The culture of the nation's capital. Opened in September 2022, Art and Ideals : President John F. Kennedy , is a permanent exhibit dedicated to President John F. Kennedy's relationship with art. The exhibit has four sections, each explaining the role art played in culture, democracy, social change, and the White House during Kennedy's presidency. The exhibit was designed by architectural firm KieranTimberlake , curator Ileen Gallahger, and

5612-585: The dance applicants were accepted, just 6% were accepted to the drumming program; and just 25 of the 81 theater applicants. BAA had 800 applicants for 150 slots in 2011. BAA offers an education to urban youth who come from less-than ideal backgrounds. In 2010, the school ran a pilot program for 125 ninth graders in summer school , who spent Fridays at BAA in remedial courses with recent BAA graduates as teachers. The students had very poor attendance records and social problems, such as direct experience with violence. Most were in danger of not being promoted. The program

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5704-428: The dream of the suffragettes by changing her title from First Lady to Acting First Man". According to the Nexis database, the abbreviation FLOTUS (pronounced / ˈ f l ə ʊ t ɪ s / ) was first used in 1983 by Donnie Radcliffe, writing in The Washington Post . Several women (at least thirteen) who were not presidents' wives have served as first lady, as when the president was a bachelor or widower, or when

5796-498: The earliest known written examples comes from a November 3, 1863, diary entry of William Howard Russell , in which he referred to gossip about "the First Lady in the Land", referring to Mary Todd Lincoln . The title first gained nationwide recognition in 1877, when newspaper journalist Mary C. Ames referred to Lucy Webb Hayes as "the First Lady of the Land" while reporting on the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes . The frequent reporting on Lucy Hayes' activities helped spread use of

5888-474: The election, rendering this a moot point. In 2021, Kamala Harris took office as vice president, making her husband Doug Emhoff the first male spouse of a nationally elected officeholder. Emhoff assumed the title of Second Gentleman of the United States ("gentleman" replacing "lady" in the title) making it likely that any future male spouse of a president will be given the title of first gentleman. Harris would later go on to replace President Joe Biden as

5980-420: The first Executive Director of the National Cultural Center, overseeing numerous fundraising efforts and assisting with the architectural plan. The total cost of construction was $ 70 million. Congress allocated $ 43 million for construction costs, including $ 23 million as an outright grant and the other $ 20 million in bonds . Donations also comprised a significant portion of funding, including $ 5 million from

6072-469: The first lady has evolved over the centuries. She is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organizes and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president. Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001). Martha Washington created

6164-405: The first lady of the United States since 2021, being the wife of the 46th president, Joe Biden . Jill Biden is also one of twelve second ladies to have gone on to become first ladies during their spouses' terms as president. While the title was not in general use until much later, Martha Washington , the wife of George Washington , the first U.S. president (1789–1797), is the first First Lady of

6256-399: The genre to the art form's newest and most exciting artists. In the 2008/2009 series, the Kennedy Center recognized Modern Masters of American Dance, bringing Martha Graham Dance Company , Merce Cunningham Dance Company , Limón Dance Company , Mark Morris Dance Group , Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater , Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company . The Center

6348-459: The healthcare system in the U.S.; Laura Bush supported women's rights groups, and encouraged childhood literacy. Michelle Obama became identified with supporting military families and tackling childhood obesity; and Melania Trump used her position to help children, including prevention of cyberbullying and support for those whose lives are affected by drugs. Since 1964, the incumbent and all living former first ladies are honorary members of

6440-419: The most revered ballerinas of the 20th century, has been hosting this Balanchine -inspired intensive at the Kennedy Center since 1993. During their three weeks in Washington, D.C., Farrell's students practice technique and choreography during twice daily classes, six days per week. Outside of the classroom, excursions, activities and performance events are planned for EBSF students to fully immerse themselves in

6532-431: The nation still preserved the habits of early life. Indulging in no indolence, she left the pillow at dawn, and after breakfast, retired to her chamber for an hour for the study of the scriptures and devotion." According to popular belief, Dolley Madison was referred to as first lady in 1849 at her funeral in a eulogy delivered by President Zachary Taylor ; however, no written record of this eulogy exists, nor did any of

6624-457: The nation's capital, and provided leadership and support for the project. In 1961, President Kennedy asked Roger L. Stevens to help develop the National Cultural Center, and serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Stevens recruited First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as honorary chairman of the center, and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower as co-chairman. In January 1961, Jarold A. Kieffer became

6716-418: The newspapers of her day refer to her by that title. Sometime after 1849, the title began being used in Washington, D.C., social circles. The first person to have the title applied to her while she was actually holding the office was Harriet Lane , the niece of James Buchanan ; Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper used the phrase to describe her in an 1860 article about her duties as White House hostess. Another of

6808-592: The original estimates of $ 25–30 million. By November 1959, estimated costs had escalated to $ 61 million. Despite this, Stone's design was well received in editorials in The Washington Post , Washington Star , and quickly approved by the United States Commission of Fine Arts , National Capital Planning Commission , and the National Park Service . The National Cultural Center was renamed

6900-463: The original structure was marked for expansion, a competition in 2013 selected Steven Holl Architects to undertake the design. The extension, called The REACH, opened in 2019. The plaza entrance of the Kennedy Center features two tableaus by German sculptor Jürgen Weber ; created between 1965 and 1971, which were a gift to the Kennedy Center from the West German government. Near the north end of

6992-783: The past 43 years, including Tony-winning shows ranging from Annie in 1977 to A Few Good Men , How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , The King and I , Titanic , and the American premiere of Les Misérables . The center also produced the Sondheim Celebration (six Stephen Sondheim musicals) in 2002, Tennessee Williams Explored (three of Tennessee Williams ' classic plays) in 2004, Mame starring Christine Baranski in 2006, Carnival! in 2007, August Wilson 's Pittsburgh Cycle (Wilson's complete ten-play cycle performed as fully staged readings) and Broadway: Three Generations both in 2008, and

7084-482: The past twelve years, over three million people have attended Millennium Stage performances. The Millennium Stage has presented more than 42,000 artists, which includes over 4,000 international artists from more than 70 countries; performers representing all 50 states; and 20,000 Washington-area ensembles and solo artists. The Charlie Byrd Trio and the Billy Taylor Trio were the first artists to delight audiences with

7176-465: The performing arts, including dance, music, theater, opera, film, and television. The Kennedy Center has awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor annually since 1998. Named after the 19th-century humorist Mark Twain , it is presented to individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. Many local arts organizations present (or have presented) their work at

7268-538: The plaza is a display of nude figures in scenes representing war and peace , called War or Peace . The piece, 8 ft × 50 ft × 1.5 ft (2.44 m × 15.24 m × 0.46 m), depicts five scenes showing the symbolism of war and peace: a war scene, murder, family, and creativity. At the south end is America which represents Weber's image of America (8 × 50 × 1.5 ft.). Four scenes are depicted representing threats to liberty, technology, foreign aid and survival, and free speech. It took

7360-482: The presidency. During the campaign, the title of First Gentleman of the United States was most frequently suggested for Bill Clinton, although as a former president himself, he might have been called "Mr. President". In addition, state governors' male spouses are typically called the first gentleman of their respective state (for example, Michael Haley was the first gentleman of South Carolina while his wife, Nikki , served as governor). Ultimately, Hillary Clinton lost

7452-475: The project. This was the first time that the federal government helped finance a structure dedicated to the performing arts. The legislation required a portion of the costs, estimated at $ 10–25 million, to be raised within five years of the bill's passage. Edward Durell Stone was selected as architect for the project in June 1959. He presented preliminary designs to the President's Music Committee in October 1959, along with estimated costs of $ 50 million, double

7544-673: The role and hosted many affairs of state at the national capital (New York and Philadelphia). This socializing became known as the Republican Court and provided elite women with opportunities to play backstage political roles. Both Martha Washington and Abigail Adams were treated as if they were "ladies" of the British royal court. Dolley Madison popularized the first ladyship by engaging in efforts to assist orphans and women, by dressing in elegant fashions and attracting newspaper coverage, and by risking her life to save iconic treasures during

7636-462: The singer's legacy of identifying outstanding young talent. In 2015, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett performed there as part of their Cheek to Cheek Tour . The National Symphony Orchestra , the Kennedy Center's artistic affiliate since 1987, has commissioned dozens of new works, among them Stephen Albert 's RiverRun , which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music; Morton Gould 's Stringmusic , also

7728-565: The title outside Washington. A popular 1911 comedic play about Dolley Madison by playwright Charles Nirdlinger, titled The First Lady in the Land , popularized the title further. By the 1930s, it was in wide use. Use of the title later spread from the United States to other nations. When Edith Wilson took control of her husband's schedule in 1919 after he had a debilitating stroke, one Republican senator labeled her "the Presidentress who had fulfilled

7820-496: The use of such titles as "Lady", "Mrs. President" and "Mrs. Presidentress"; Martha Washington was often referred to as "Lady Washington". One of the earliest uses of the term "First Lady" was applied to her in an 1838 newspaper article that appeared in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian , the author, " Mrs. Sigourney ", discusses how Martha Washington had not changed, even after her husband George became president. She wrote that "The first lady of

7912-530: The ways that different women have shaped the role to make their own contributions to the presidential administrations and the nation. The exhibition features 26 dresses and more than 160 other objects, ranging from those of Martha Washington to Michelle Obama , and includes White House china , personal possessions and other objects from the Smithsonian's unique collection of first ladies' materials. Some first ladies have garnered attention for their dress and style. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis , for instance, became

8004-606: The wife of the president was unable to fulfill the duties of the first lady herself. In these cases, the position has been filled by a female relative of the president, such as Jefferson's daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph , Jackson's daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson and his wife's niece Emily Donelson , Taylor 's daughter Mary Elizabeth Bliss , Benjamin Harrison 's daughter Mary Harrison McKee , Buchanan's niece Harriet Lane , Chester A. Arthur 's sister Mary Arthur McElroy and Cleveland's sister Rose Cleveland . Each of

8096-541: Was September 5, 1971, with 2,200 members of the general public in attendance to see a premiere of Leonard Bernstein 's Mass in the Opera House, while the center's official opening took place September 8, 1971, with a formal gala and premiere performance of the Bernstein Mass . The Concert Hall was inaugurated September 9, 1971, with a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Doráti . Alberto Ginastera 's opera, Beatrix Cenci premiered at

8188-571: Was constructed by Philadelphia contractor John McShain , and is administered as a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution . An earlier design proposal called for a more curvy, spaceship-inspired building similar to how the Watergate complex appears today. An extension to the Durell Stone Building was designed by Steven Holl and opened in 2019. The center receives annual federal funding to pay for building maintenance and operation. The idea for

8280-771: Was set up to rekindle an interest in school through non-traditional learning using theater, music, martial arts , poetry and other art forms. BAA is a member of the ProArts Consortium. Other members include Berklee College of Music , the Boston Architectural Center , The Boston Conservatory , Emerson College , Massachusetts College of Art , and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts . ProArts coordinates programs among its members to expand educational opportunities and resources for participating institutions and works to enrich

8372-541: Was the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 2016 election , but lost to Donald Trump . The Office of the First Lady of the United States is accountable to the first lady for her to carry out her duties as hostess of the White House, and is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The first lady has her own staff that includes a chief of staff, press secretary, White House social secretary , and chief floral designer . The Office of

8464-569: Was used in the building's construction. President Lyndon B. Johnson dug the ceremonial first-shovel of earth at the groundbreaking for the Kennedy Center December 2, 1964. However, debate continued for another year over the Foggy Bottom site, with some advocating for another location on Pennsylvania Avenue . Excavation of the site got underway on December 11, 1965, and the site was cleared by January 1967. The first performance

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