Deborah Rutter is speaking out after being ousted from the Kennedy Center.

In an interview with NPR, Rutter noted that she didn’t feel safe about the future of the Center and was uncertain about its sustainability.

She said, “I’m really, really, really sad about what happens to our artists, what happens on our stages and our staff who support them. The Kennedy Center is meant to be a beacon for the arts in all of America across the country. And we have worked so hard and accomplished so much over this last decade to really broaden the programming, to invite all manner of arts and artists to our stages. And we’ve expanded our audience as a result. I pray that that can be sustained. But that’s my biggest concern.”

She also noted that she hoped that artists would continue to feel safe in the space.

“If they have the invitation and they know that the environment is safe for them to express their ideas and their art. Absolutely. Our national cultural center needs and deserves to be the platform for artists of all sorts. But they have to feel welcome and safe.”

When asked about the drag shows at the Center, Rutter noted that people went to the Kennedy Center because they felt seen and comfortable.

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