Petition to the leadership of American Ballet Theatre:

We write to express our strong objection to American Ballet Theatre’s decision to perform at the Kennedy Center while it is being publicly branded as the “Trump Kennedy Center,” and to urge you to withdraw from these performances.

American Ballet Theatre holds a unique and influential position in American cultural life. With that position comes responsibility. Performing under the banner of a politicized Kennedy Center directly conflicts with ABT’s longstanding commitment to artistic integrity and its stated goal of inclusivity. For many patrons, artists, and supporters, this is not a neutral venue choice; it is a tacit endorsement of the politicization of the arts and a betrayal of the values ABT claims to uphold. At a moment of growing authoritarianism, those who value democracy must resist whenever possible.

The Kennedy Center was founded as a national cultural institution meant to unite, not divide. When a company of ABT’s stature proceeds as if this rebranding is inconsequential, it sends the troubling message that political interference in the arts can be overlooked for the sake of convenience or tradition. Non-cooperation and protest have historically been among the most effective tools for resisting authoritarian power, including efforts to assert governmental control over cultural life.

We recognize that canceling or withdrawing from these performances would carry real financial costs at a time of significant hardship for arts organizations. However, moments like this demand leadership, not silence. Many supporters would gladly contribute financially to ABT if it took a principled stand against political interference in the arts. We believe that a public act of refusal could become a powerful fundraising opportunity, allowing donors to align their support for ballet with their commitment to democratic values.

As the first major ballet company scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center under its new branding, American Ballet Theatre has a unique opportunity to make clear that political interference in cultural institutions is not business as usual. The arts do not exist outside politics; they help shape public values, collective memory, and national identity. Choosing not to perform would be a concrete affirmation that these forces must remain independent of partisan control.

We further urge New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet—both slated to perform at the Kennedy Center in 2026—to stand with ABT in rejecting this fascistic takeover of one of our most beloved and culturally significant performance venues.