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Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy uses the power of JFK’s own remarkable words to explore his presidential legacy through the lens of his appreciation and promotion of the arts. It also provides visitors with an understanding of how the Kennedy Center—our National Cultural Center—became a living memorial to both President Kennedy and his ideals.

In the 7,500 square foot JFK Gallery, immersive media and digital technology explore how the power of the arts infused and informed John F. Kennedy’s presidency and influenced politics, culture, and style during his lifetime. It is also the story of how the Kennedy Center came to be—from President Kennedy’s commitment to ensuring that a National Cultural Center be built for a grateful nation, and Congress who ensured that, once erected, the Center would serve as a living memorial to our fallen president.

Five different historians were consulted to ensure an accurate representation of President Kennedy as a person and president, with a focus on his ability to create connections between the people and the arts. Given that two-thirds of the American population were born after Kennedy was president, this exhibit will allow visitors who are too young to have had a personal connection to him to better understand his impact on our country and its relation to the arts.