Explore the REACH
Welcome Pavilion
The Welcome Pavilion is the main entry to all other spaces at the REACH. Located on Level A, the Welcome Pavilion boasts massive clear and frosted glass windows, including one that is etched with a quote from President Kennedy. The expansive lobby is home to a reception desk, comfortable lounges designed by Steven Holl, the Gratitude Wall recognizing major contributions to the construction of the REACH, and the Hyannis Port coffee bar, which is named after the location of the Kennedy Family home on Cape Cod.
PT-109
with thanks to Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello
A great space for meetings, small dinners, workshops, and breakouts for a conference day. The view boasts floor to ceiling windows overlooking a reflecting pool outside to the East. Frosted glass is along the entry wall into the space, and can be easily accessible from our main entrance through the Welcome Pavilion.
PT-109 takes its name from the “Patrol Torpedo” boat that President Kennedy commanded during World War II.
Moonshot Studio
with thanks to William E. Conway, Jr. and Joanne Barkett Conway
Named after President Kennedy’s call for America to think big and travel to the moon, the Moonshot Studio is a “maker space” where families, students, and community groups can come together for interactive workshops, meetings, or camps.
Justice Forum
with thanks to Michael F. and Noémi K. Neidorff and The Centene Charitable Foundation
The Justice Forum is named after one of the five ideals attributed to President Kennedy.
Intimate lecture hall with capacity for film screenings, panel discussions, presentations, and small ensembles. Seats have a tablet arm for note-taking, large projector screen, and projector to provide audio visual at every location within the space. With cherry wood ceiling, acoustic crinkle natural grey concrete walls, wooden floors, the space is made to capture the presentation style setting.
Skylight Pavilion
with thanks to Stephen and Christine Schwarzman
A stunningly beautiful, vaulted-ceiling space with expansive views of the river. A great location for special events, receptions, or seated dinners, this space can serve as a public atrium and a great place to view the Potomac during the day. Acoustic plaster ceilings and walls, end grain wooden floor, and multiple glass skylights, offer an experience for lasting memories at the REACH.
A multitude of custom hanging lights twinkle like stars over the Pavilion’s atrium, augmented by theatrical lighting to transform the room for special events. The exterior wall facing the Center functions as a large projection screen for movies, simulcasts, and more.
Gallery Wall
with thanks to Fred Eychaner
This multi-story blank canvas will play host to large-scale short- and long-term art installations, on view to visitors on both levels of the REACH.
Peace Corps Gallery
President Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961 with the goal of encouraging mutual understanding between Americans and people of other nations and cultures. The Peace Corps Gallery, located on Level B, serves as an art gallery, lobby, and gathering space outside of Studios J, F & K.
Studio J
with thanks to Iris Smith
This multi-purpose rehearsal room is complete with ballet barres, permanent mirrors along the wall, and drapery to cover the installed mirror wall. This can be suitable for a rehearsal space, meeting breakout room, or green room space (dark liquids not permitted). With windows and natural light, shades can be drawn to limit the view into the space. Studio J is complete with a permanent Marley sprung floor, screen, projector, and audio playback system.
This multi-purpose room takes its name from one of the President’s first two initials.
Studio F
with thanks to Suzanne L. Niedland
This multi-purpose room takes its name from one of the President’s first two initials.
Larger than Studio J, the second multi-purpose rehearsal room is complete with ballet barres, permanent mirrors along the wall, and drapery to cover the installed mirror wall. This can be suitable for a rehearsal space, meeting breakout room, or green room space (dark liquids not permitted). With windows and natural light, shades can be drawn to limit the view into the space. Studio F is complete with a permanent Marley sprung floor, screen, projector, and audio playback system.
Studio K
with thanks to Jacqueline Badger Mars
The largest multi-purpose room with a viewing balcony containing loose seating, to allow for observation. The space can be used for a variety of events, performances, rehearsals, and conference style theater or break out sessions. The space can be made dark with the use of curtains located on all four walls, including a permanent lighting, audio, and video system. The distinctive cerulean blue stained concrete ceiling, acoustic crinkle natural grey concrete walls, and dark stained wooden floor provide a space that can be transformed and used for any occasion.
Recieveing its name from President John F. Kennedy's last initial.
Skylight Stair
with thanks to Sakurako and William Fisher
Connecting the upper and lower levels near Studios J, F, and K, the Skylight Stair encapsulates Steven Holl's mastery of light, angles, and texture with this eye-catching stair feature.
Sardar Classroom
with thanks to Arlene and Robert Kogod
Macaroni Classroom
Caroline Kennedy’s pet pony Macaroni was a gift from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1962. Sardar, an Arabian horse, was given to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as a present from Ayub Khan, the President of Pakistan, in 1962. These state-of-the-art, multipurpose classroom spaces can host both children and adults in exciting hands-on educational activities.
Hammersmith Lounge
with thanks to Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk
Hammersmith was the name of Jackie Bouvier’s childhood home that served as her wedding venue and the “Summer White House” during the Kennedy administration. Equipped with informal seating designed by Steven Holl, a skylight, and window views of the Potomac, the Hammersmith Lounge is a public space adjacent to Studios J, F & K and the Macaroni and Sardar Classrooms.
River Pavilion
The Boeing Company
Exclusive Corporate Underwriter of the REACH
The River Pavilion has fantastic views; featuring quotes from President Kennedy etched into frosted glass, this special space hosts informal performances, comedy or open mic nights, and special events..
This flexible interior and exterior space is located along the south end of the Kennedy Center’s campus. This space offers brilliant views of the Potomac River and new pedestrian bridge across Rock Creek Parkway. A wall of windows facing both east and west offer a bright and warm space season round. To the West, the view of the Potomac River, and to the East, the view of the south Reflecting Pool and Presidential Grove of Ginkgo trees.
The Link
with thanks to Štěpánka and Karel Komárek
The Link is a covered pathway with fantastic views of the Potomac River, Roosevelt Island, and into Studios J & F that connects the River Plaza and the Grand Foyer to various spaces and buildings at the REACH.
The Bridge
with thanks to David Bohnett Foundation
For the first time, the Kennedy Center is connected to the city’s other memorials by a new pedestrian bridge spanning Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway down to the trail running along the Potomac River.
Victura Deck
with thanks to Pritzker Traubert Foundation
A lover of the sea, President Kennedy’s iconic wooden sailboat, the Victura (Latin for “to conquer”), was purchased when he was 15. The Victura Deck is located just outside of the Moonshot Studio alongside a large reflecting pool.
Presidential Grove
with thanks to The People of the United Arab Emirates
At the south end of the campus sits a grove of 35 ginkgo trees planted in honor of our 35th president and namesake, John F. Kennedy, intended as a place for quiet contemplation.
Reflecting Pool
with thanks to The State of Qatar
With views of the Potomac River and Roosevelt Island and set adjacent to the River Pavilion, the large Reflecting Pool welcomes both splashing and stillness, joy and reflection.
Video Wall Lawn
with thanks to Robert H. Smith Family Foundation
The Video Wall Lawn makes possible active, participatory engagement through simulcast or broadcast performances and films with expansive lawn seating for visitors.
The REACH Plaza and Gardens
The large paved plaza and two expansive lawns surrounding the three pavilions offer outdoor gathering spaces for participating in a community activity, watching a movie or simulcast on the Video Wall, picnicking, or relaxing before a performance. The lawns and landscaping serve as a massive “green roof” for the REACH, the largest in Washington, DC at approximately 69,000 square feet.
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Learn More About the Art & Sculpture at the REACH
Learn More About the Art & Sculpture at the REACH
Tour Our Campus
Enhance a visit with a free Kennedy Center building, the REACH, or special KC Campus Highlights tour guided by an expert Friends of the Kennedy Center tour guide. Learn about the works of art given to the Center.
David M. Rubenstein
Cornerstone of the REACH