One-Third of US Museums Feel the Pain of Trump's Grant Cuts

"One-third of museums in the United States have lost federal funding under Donald Trump's presidency, according to a survey released by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) this week. AAM, a membership organization of 35,000 museums, surveyed 511 museum directors across the country this summer. Two-thirds of affected institutions have not been able to replace their grants at all; just 8% managed to recoup them fully through other channels, including private donations."

"The loss of government funding across the sector, the report says, has resulted in cuts to community programs and delays to infrastructure improvement projects. In addition to new challenges brought about by the Trump administration's actions, the report warned of a downturn in post-pandemic recovery in metrics including financial performance and visitorship. Their institutions had not returned to pre-pandemic levels of visitorship, said 55% of directors, as compared to 49% last year."

AAM, a membership organization of 35,000 museums, surveyed 511 museum directors across the United States. One-third of museums reported losing federal funding under President Trump. Two-thirds of affected institutions have not been able to replace those grants; only 8% recouped funding fully through other channels such as private donations. Funding losses produced cuts to community programs and delayed infrastructure improvements. Post-pandemic recovery showed setbacks: 55% of directors said visitor levels had not returned to pre-pandemic norms, up from 49% last year. Fewer museums reported financial improvement (52% versus 57% last year). Thirty-four percent experienced cuts most commonly from NEA, NEH, and IMLS, and 13% reported limits on activity due to anti-diversity orders.

Read at Hyperallergic