The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Harman International Industries have extended their longstanding relationship with a multi-year partnership including the addition of Harman’s audio and lighting products supporting an ambitious expansion project.
As part of the expanded relationship, Harman becomes the official sound of The Kennedy Center. JBL Professional loudspeakers, AKG microphones, Crown amplifiers, AMX receivers, digital lighting from Martin and sound editing equipment from its Soundcraft, BSS Audio and dbx brands will continue to amplify and elevate the more than 3,000 productions, performances and classes that take place each year.
Highlights of The Kennedy Center’s first major expansion since opening in 1971 include the addition of 72,000 square feet of new public access spaces with open rehearsal studios, dedicated education spaces and social spaces such as a convertible café and outdoor gardens. Other features include an outdoor video wall where performances can be simulcast, an outdoor performance space and multi-purpose spaces for the Center’s extensive programming, performance and arts education offerings. The expansion project will attract more international performers and productions that require dynamic in-house lighting equipment for their shows.
“Harman technology has played an integral role at the Kennedy Center for more than 20 years. In fact, each of our nine stages is equipped with Harman products providing the lighting and sound infrastructure required to produce world class arts,” said Deborah Rutter, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “We are grateful for Harman’s engagement and confident the new systems will allow us to continue to produce and present arts and education programming of the highest caliber at the nation’s busiest cultural center.”
“Harman is extremely proud to expand our relationship with The Kennedy Center and contribute to the future of this prestigious institution that is so vital to the performing arts,” said Dinesh C. Paliwal, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Harman. “For more than 70 years, Harman has been the technology partner of choice for the most highly regarded entertainment complexes in the world – from theaters and cinemas to stadiums and arenas. We are excited that The Kennedy Center has once again called on Harman to bring their ambitious expansion plans to life and eager to elevate their performances and events for the thousands of people who will visit each year.”
Harman designs, manufactures and markets highly-respected audio, video, control and lighting solutions for a wide range of applications. The world’s largest tours, cinema chains, professional musicians, houses of worship, nightclubs, casinos, performing arts theaters, stadiums, transport hubs, government installations, retail stores, broadcast houses and Fortune 500 global enterprises use Harman solutions as their first choice to deliver the world’s best audio, video and lighting experiences.
To date, $150 million has been raised under the Kennedy Center’s “Building the Future” campaign, which is contributing vital funds to support the Center’s expansion project.
Harman International Industries
JBL
Crown
dbx
Soundcraft
AKG
BSS
AMX