A planned ticketing platform change at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center has drawn scrutiny, with concerns raised about a potential conflict of interest involving its former president, Richard Grenell. The institution, a long-standing fixture in the city’s cultural landscape, intends to transition from its non-profit ticketing system, Tessitura, to the commercial giant Ticketmaster. This Ticketmaster switch has caused delays in ticket sales for the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors, scheduled for December 7.
Richard Grenell was appointed president of the Kennedy Center in February 2025. A few months later, in May of the same year, he joined the board of Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, according to NPR. Live Nation’s recent SEC filings indicate Grenell received a salary of $260,205 and 102 shares of stock, valued at approximately $14,200, for his board duties in 2025. In contrast, the Kennedy Center’s tax filings show Grenell received no salary as its president.
The Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating artists like Paul Anka and Barbara Mandrell this year, has typically made tickets available by early summer. However, as of November 11, only a submission form to receive information about ticket purchases is available. Current and former Kennedy Center staffers, speaking anonymously to NPR due to fear of reprisal, attributed this delay to the ongoing platform change negotiations.
Differing Accounts on Ticketing Transition
The potential conflict stemming from Grenell’s dual roles has been highlighted by government ethics experts. Richard Briffault, a Columbia Law School professor specializing in government ethics, stated that serving on the board of one entity while holding a financial stake in another that conducts business with and benefits from the first entity ‘is literally conflict of interest.’ He emphasized the duty of loyalty involved in such positions.
Kennedy Center spokesperson PJ Elliott told NPR that discussions about moving to Ticketmaster had been underway since 2024, prior to Grenell’s appointment, citing that the center had ‘outgrown its previous ticketing system.’ Elliott also noted that the agreement followed a ‘standard procurement review’ but declined to comment on Grenell’s concurrent positions or the specific timing of the changeover.
However, this account conflicts with statements from other sources. A current and a former senior Kennedy Center employee, who also requested anonymity, informed NPR that Ticketmaster was not under serious consideration by the center’s leadership in 2024. A former senior executive wrote to NPR, asserting their opposition to the move, explaining that Tessitura provided robust capabilities for managing data, fundraising, and customer relations, which they believed Ticketmaster did not offer. For its part, Ticketmaster issued a statement to NPR denying any pressure on the Kennedy Center, stating that Kennedy Center staff first approached their team in February 2024, expressing a desire to switch due to limitations with their existing system.
Global Implications for Arts Institutions
The shift from Tessitura to Ticketmaster at the Kennedy Center highlights a broader debate within the global arts and culture sector regarding ticketing solutions for non-profit organizations. Tessitura, a not-for-profit platform developed by the Metropolitan Opera in 1995, is used by over 750 arts and culture institutions worldwide, including the Kennedy Center as one of its early adopters. Steve Jacobson, founder of JCA, a consulting firm for non-profit arts clients, described Tessitura as a ‘unified product’ essential for managing not only ticket sales but also fundraising, membership, customer service, and education, characterizing it as an all-in-one system vital for non-profit operations.
Jacobson noted that while Ticketmaster excels with high-volume, commercial events in large venues, it is ‘one-dimensional’ and primarily designed for commercial presenters. For non-profit arts organizations globally, the decision to choose a ticketing platform often involves weighing immediate ticket revenue against the need for integrated solutions that support donor relations and broader institutional sustainability. The Kennedy Center’s move, if it signals a trend towards commercial platforms for major cultural institutions, could influence other non-profits considering their own ticketing infrastructure, potentially affecting how they manage donor engagement and operational costs.
The change also occurs amidst broader institutional challenges for the Kennedy Center, including a federal lawsuit concerning President Trump’s reported desire to add his name to the institution. As the December 7 Honors event approaches, all eyes will be on how the Kennedy Center resolves its ticketing issues and whether further details emerge regarding the circumstances of its partnership with Ticketmaster and the scrutiny surrounding its former president’s roles.
Image: NPR
Sources consulted
- NPR: Kennedy Center plans Ticketmaster switch, raising conflict of interest concerns
- WKNO FM: Kennedy Center plans Ticketmaster switch, raising conflict of interest concerns
- NPR: Kennedy Center plans Ticketmaster switch, raising conflict of interest concerns
Adrian Velk is a global affairs journalist focused on breaking news, geopolitics, and societal trends. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, he delivers timely reporting that helps readers understand the fast-moving world around them. His work blends factual depth with clear storytelling, making complex events accessible to a broad audience.
