Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Ctr. say: See you in ’21

The ongoing pandemic brought down the curtain for the rest of the year at both Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Carnegie Hall, a Midtown fixture since 1891, announced the cancellation Friday of all its events through Jan. 6, 2021, with coronavirus forcing the shutdown as the venerable operation faced a deepening financial hole.

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts also cancelled its fall events, including the annual White Light Festival and concerts in its Great Performers Series, through Jan. 26, 2021. A statement said Lincoln Center had an eye toward reopening on Feb. 6 “subject to further evaluation and guidance from local, state and federal authorities.”

Both facilities were closed in mid-March as the COVID-19 crisis crippled businesses across a quarantined New York City.

“Though we had hoped to welcome audiences to our 2020-21 season this fall, we have made the difficult decision … We had no other option but to extend the Hall’s closure until health conditions improve,” read a statement posted on the Carnegie Hall web site.

“We look forward to sharing live music with you again as soon as we are able to reconnect in person.”

The hall asked its patrons for some financial support during the trying economic stretch, requesting ticket holders to donate the value of their seats or apply the ticket value to future purchases through June 30, 2022. Lincoln Center also planned to accept donations from ticketholders holding seats to the canceled performances.

Carnegie Hall anticipates an $8 million deficit in its $104 million budget for the fiscal year ending this month, with 50 administrative staffers headed for unpaid leave with continued health benefits. Executive director Clive Gillinson will take a 25% cut in his annual $1.9 million salary, while other senior staffers will receive a 10% pay reduction.

Lincoln Center is looking at a $13 million shortfall in its $130 million operating budget for the current fiscal year, according to spokeswoman Isabel Sinistore. About half of its full-time employees, including administrative workers, even staff and unionized workers, were furloughed due to the ongoing health crisis.