The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has appointed Rick Canny, a talent manager known for representing acts such as ZZ Top and former Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, as its new artistic director. The announcement was made via email by Matt Floca, the center’s executive director and chief operating officer, on Thursday.
Canny’s selection has drawn scrutiny due to complaints from staff regarding his business practices during his tenure as a consultant for the institution. He has served in that advisory role since shortly after President Donald Trump assumed the chairmanship of the Kennedy Center in February 2025.
In the email, Floca stated that Canny would advise leadership on artistic strategy, business operations, talent curation, ticketing, pricing, media opportunities, and sponsorship. Floca, who previously headed facilities at the center before his promotion in March, noted that Canny has worked with the institution through his firm, Favor the Artist, since April 2025, including serving as creative lead for the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize.
Critics have pointed out that Floca lacks a background in arts administration, programming, or fundraising, holding a degree in construction management instead. This contrasts with typical leadership profiles at major performing arts venues nationwide. Furthermore, industry administrators note that booking performances for such institutions generally requires years of advance planning.
NPR obtained an internal memo from March in which center staff expressed concerns about Canny’s fees and expenses. The Kennedy Center did not respond to specific questions about the appointment but confirmed the contents of the email. Canny also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Publications indicating Canny’s professional history suggest he has limited experience programming the types of acts typically featured at the Kennedy Center, such as orchestras, dance troupes, theater companies, and marquee contemporary solo performers. The website for Favor the Artist provides no details regarding its client roster or organizational history.
The Kennedy Center has been mostly closed to the public since September, a status currently being contested in federal court. While the institution plans to maintain limited public and educational programming, the venue has faced significant leadership turnover, with its previous head of programming departing just two weeks after starting in January.
Was anyone else surprised the previous programming head quit in January? That departure right before this appointment is suspicious.
I’m stunned Floca has no arts admin background. A construction management degree doesn’t prepare you for programming orchestras and theater.
How can someone who booked rock stars manage a classical institution? This feels like a severe mismatch for the Kennedy Center’s mission.