Does Kennedy Center pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Kennedy Center employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.4 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Kennedy Center. This rating has decreased by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Kennedy Center?

54% of Kennedy Center employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Kennedy Center 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.7 for culture and values and 2.4 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Kennedy Center?

Assistant Manager (22) , Intern (11) , Development Assistant (8) , Usher (8) , Manager (6) , Internship (5) , Group Sales Associate (4) , Administrative Assistant (3) , Assistant (3) , Director (2) , Finance (2) , Management (2) , Musician (2) , Program Assistant (2) , Program Coordinator (2)

What are the pros of working at Kennedy Center according to real employee reviews?

"Lots of great experiences and people" ((in 16 reviews)); "Fun colleagues, access to world class cultural offerings." ((in 8 reviews)); "It is a great place to learn and grow, the benefits are good for a non" ((in 8 reviews)); "Dedicated staff." ((in 7 reviews)); "The internship program offers great opportunities to meet and learn from many different department heads." ((in 4 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Kennedy Center according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay for qualified (sometimes highly qualified) persons" ((in 16 reviews)); "wide; incredibly long hours required; no employee perks; no flex schedule/telecommute options; no industry" ((in 9 reviews)); "Manager absent on last day of internship and seemed like they did not care about the internship in general" ((in 8 reviews)); "low salary, a lot of over time" ((in 8 reviews)); "Little to no work life balance and seem to have no desire for staff to have one or improve this." ((in 6 reviews))

What are employees saying about Kennedy Center redundancies in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Kennedy Center redundancy and their outlook for job security at Kennedy Center in 2026.

Kennedy Center Reviews

3.0

54% would recommend to a friend

(175 total reviews)

Deborah F. Rutter

38% approve of CEO

30% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Ethnic group

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Kennedy Center has an employee rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 175 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Kennedy Center employee rating is 22% below average for employers within the Arts, entertainment and recreation industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

175 reviews

1.0

2 Jul 2026

Vibrant community lost after takeover

Assistant manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Beautiful community of arts professionals and creatives prior to the takeover.

Cons

The majority of programs and arts administrators have been decimated.

1.0

22 May 2026

Atrocious changes have diminished the Kennedy Center's charm

Usher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was/is the most wonderful place to showcase arts.

Cons

The changes that have happened are atrocious and have taken away the wonderful variety for show and patrons that graced the hall and theaters. It is sad to see this place died a slow horrible death because of jealousy.

2.0

8 Feb 2026

Not for me

Assistant manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

None that I can think of

Cons

Intense workload and lack of work life balance

Viewing 1 - 3 of 175 Reviews

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Kennedy Center

Kennedy Center Reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Vibrant community lost after takeover

Atrocious changes have diminished the Kennedy Center's charm

Not for me

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