After fielding criticism for an ad hoc and secretive selection process, the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement in the performing arts announced a revision of its selection process on Thursday, The Washington Post reported.
The artists committee that does the nominating will be expanded and for the first time, the public will be able to make recommendations. A new committee that includes two previous winners, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the actress Chita Rivera, will then narrow down the list for the Kennedy Center board of trustees, which will make the final decision on the five winners.
The slate of nominees “will provide balance and diversity across the various performing arts disciplines†the Kennedy Center said in its announcement. Last year, some Hispanic groups criticized the awards process, complaining that only two of the 186 winners were Hispanic. The changes are the result of a seven-month internal review.
