So, the Kennedy Center just had a bit of a shake-up—Trump appointed himself as chairman, and suddenly, there’s a mass exodus of artists and board members. If you’re thinking, “What does this mean for the arts in DC?”—well, it’s not great. When institutions like the Kennedy Center get tangled up in political power plays, it’s a stark reminder of how fragile large-scale arts funding really is.
But here’s the thing: this could be an opportunity. What if we stopped thinking of institutions like the Kennedy Center as the only places worthy of our arts dollars? What if we funneled that money directly into the local artists, the small collectives, and the programs that make DC’s art scene actually exciting?
Think about it—every dollar you donate to a massive institution gets buried under administrative costs, venue maintenance, and executive salaries before it ever reaches an artist. Meanwhile, that same dollar could help pay a musician’s rent for their studio, fund a performance in a community space, or keep a small gallery’s lights on. The impact is immediate and personal.
(pictured above: current renovations on Rhizome’s new home on Alaska Ave. NW)
There’s already a thriving ecosystem of independent artists and grassroots arts organizations in DC that are keeping the city’s creative energy alive—places like Rhizome, Mars Arts D.C., CulturalDC, or Dupont Underground’s cultural programming. These are the spaces that take risks, support emerging talent, and foster artistic communities.
The arts don’t need massive, politically tangled institutions to survive—they need direct, local investment. So, instead of dropping $500 on a Kennedy Center membership this year, why not spread that around? Commission a local artist for a project, buy an album from a DC-based musician, or back a small arts nonprofit that’s doing work in your neighborhood.
Your money will go 100x further, and the art that comes out of it? It’ll be bolder, more diverse, and way more reflective of the actual culture we live in—not just the one that gets a big, shiny stage.
Upcoming Events
Mars Arts D.C. - Akua Allrich @ Songbyrd Presented by WPA
Jazz vocalist and D.C. native Akua Allrich pays tribute to African-American women in music with a blend of blues, soul, jazz, and pan-African music. Accompanied by a live band, her performance honors the legacies of the legendary artists such as Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone, and others. This series is presented by WPA and Mars Arts D.C. which has committed itself to present free concerts and provide artistic opportunities/residencies and educational opportunities across all 8 wards in DC. RSVP
Poor Boys - Jazz/Hip-Hop Jam Sessions @ Legacy Hi-Fi
The Poor Boys’ bandleader Jo Palmer has been featured several times throughout whatsupdc. We stan the jazz jam Jo was hosting at Whitlows; we were devastated when it was discontinued. This new iteration with new house band ‘Poor Boys’ will be a blend of jazz, hip hop and electronic music in a communal setting, giving artists, audiences, vocalists, and poets a chance to explore what improvisation feels like along on modern soundscape. This event happens regularly on Tuesdays, 10PM - 1AM
Common Ground, Common Future - @ Dupont Underground
We couldn’t imagine better timing for the new exhibition at Dupont Underground, “Common Ground, Common Future: Reimagining the Heart of the District”. The exhibition will focus on the initiatives proposed by the DC Office of Planning Public Realm Plan aimed at shaping public spaces as catalysts for transformation while fostering a more inclusive, vibrant, and accessible downtown area. We’re curious what the future of this area might look like, aren’t you? TICKETS