Ben Folds Resigns as Artistic Advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra Amid Political Turmoil
As Donald Trump and Elon Musk stir upheaval in Washington, the ripple effects continue to impact everything from the price of eggs to the arts. One notable casualty is Ben Folds, the beloved singer-songwriter and pianist, who has just resigned from his position as Artistic Advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). This decision comes amidst significant changes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where Folds had spent the last eight years helping to foster a new appreciation for orchestral music.
In his resignation announcement, Folds took to social media, stating, “Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me.” He expressed gratitude for his time working alongside Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, and the NSO’s artistic administrator, Justin Ellis. “Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra – just the best!” he added.
The Kennedy Center is the crux of the NSO, hosting year-round performances and big-wig events like the Kennedy Center Honors. The direction of the arts organization appears uncertain for now, and Folds’ resignation coincides with the news that Deb Rutter, who has held her position since 2014, was fired, according to a report from The New York Times. Rutter reflected on her tenure, stating:
I depart my position proud of all we accomplished to meet that ambition. From the art on our stages to the students we have impacted in classrooms across America, everything we have done at the Kennedy Center has been about uplifting the human spirit in service of strengthening the culture of our great nation.
The landscape at the Kennedy Center is changing rapidly. On Monday, Trump appointed Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany, as the center’s interim executive director. Grenell is expected to align with Trump’s vision for what he calls a “GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture,” pledging a departure from what he labels “ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
