The Kennedy Center has ambitious reopening plans heading into its 50th anniversary this year as many of the region’s local music venues cautiously prepare for a return to in-person shows this fall.

The center announced Tuesday it will kickstart its half-centennial celebration this September by reopening all its stages and campus for a year-long series of events including a reimagining of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS — the seminal work that opened the center in 1971. It will also add two interactive exhibits, a life-sized statue of John F. Kennedy on the facility’s rooftop overlook the REACH, numerous artist residencies, new plays, and a series of operatic works inspired by D.C.’s monuments and architecture.

The Kennedy Center will continue standard coronavirus safety protocols including requiring mask-wearing, disinfecting surfaces, mandating six feet of physical distancing, and reducing points of contact with measures like online ticketing.

“I can think of no better way to reemerge from the darkness of these last many months than to reopen with a vibrant, season-long celebration of the center’s rich history and the bright future of the arts in our nation,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a press release.

The District has relaxed capacity restrictions across local businesses and concert venues as vaccination rates increase. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced earlier this week live music venues can reopen indoor and outdoor events at 25% capacity on May 1; museums can also reopen to 50% capacity indoors and outdoors. Maryland has also increased capacity limits for large indoor and outdoor venues to 50% capacity, and Virginia has set its indoor and outdoor venue capacity limits at 30%.

Before Monday’s announcement, the District launched a pilot program last September opening City Winery, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Pearl Street Warehouse, The Kennedy Center, The Hamilton, and Union Stage to small crowds of no more than 50 people at a time. It was considered a way for the city to gradually reintroduce concerts without breaking the bank. (No more than the six specified venues were allowed to reopen.)

The recently increased capacity limits, however, affect all local venues. The 9:30 Club, Anthem, and Wharf have already scheduled concert dates and opened ticket sales for shows later this year — more than a year after they first closed their doors.