Kennedy Center's Financial Problems Are Serious

Legislation requires that GAO regularly audit the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' accounts to determine the Center's ability to pay its share of the operating costs and to assure that the cost sharing formula between the National Park Service and the Center fairly and accurately reflects the use of the building. The Center's financial statements, accounting and operating records, and records of the National Park Service which relate to the cost sharing formula were reviewed. Tests were made of the records maintained by the Center's restaurant and parking garage concessionaires. Three other performing arts centers in the United States and two perfoming arts theater facilities in the Washington, D.C., were visited to enable comparisons to be made.