Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Smithsonian leader asserts ‘authority over our programming’ in letters to staff and Trump White House

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian’s secretary, wrote in a staff letter and another addressed to the White House that the institution will continue its internal review

Diaryblog

An eye for art: new US ambassador installs blue-chip collection at palatial UK residence

Warren Stephens has brought works by Cézanne, Renoir and Edgar Degas to London

Arts fundinganalysis

Amid layoffs and defunding threats, here's how US arts funding is adapting to life under Trump

The largest federal funders of culture—and the organisations that depend on them—are beginning to resume activities under the country's new regime

Smithsonian leader meets with Trump for 'cordial' White House lunch

As the White House reviews the Smithsonian's programming, Lonnie G. Bunch was called in to meet with the president and one of the aides leading the review

Artists and scholars respond to White House’s list of Smithsonian grievances

Amy Sherald, the historian Ibram X. Kendi and others personally attacked in the Trump administration’s list of reasons for why the president “is right about the Smithsonian” hit back

Trump accuses Smithsonian of being too focused on ‘how bad slavery was’

The US president’s criticisms come as the White House begins a review of the Smithsonian’s programmes and exhibitions

White House launches review of Smithsonian museums and exhibitions

In a letter to the Smithsonian leader Lonnie G. Bunch, members of Trump’s administration said they want to “ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism”

Smithsonian museum removes label referencing Trump impeachments

The label had been added to a display at the National Museum of American History about checks on presidential powers in 2021 following Trump's second impeachment

Yale University Art Gallery withdraws federal funding applications over anti-diversity regulations

Instead, the museum will draw on Yale University’s endowment for funds to mount an upcoming show of African art

Trump pulls US out of ‘woke’ Unesco

The State Department says that Unesco membership does not square with its “America-first” outlook

Andres Serrano proposes Donald Trump mausoleum for US pavilion at the Venice Biennale

American artist plans to install a multi-media portrait of the president for the 2026 exhibition—but question marks still hang over the application process

US states step up to fund the arts in the wake of federal cuts

Trump’s defunding of the NEA and NEH is changing how state arts commissions get their money

Trump seeks to defund Institute of American Indian Arts

The only four-year college of its kind is on Trump's chopping block, along with countless other Indigenous causes

Trump’s bill to cut taxes and social safety net programmes includes $40m for patriotic sculpture park

The president’s signature bill, approved by the US Senate on 1 July, is expected to add trillions of dollars to the national debt

US government’s attempts to solicit National Park visitors’ feedback on historical depictions backfires

Notices asking visitors to report “any signs or other information that are negative about either past or living Americans” prompted outrage and pushback

Trump dances with Jeffrey Epstein in new National Mall sculpture

A new anonymous, satirical art piece aimed at the US President has found its way into the White House's orbit

Trump administration violated the law by withholding museum and library funding, government watchdog finds

The non-partisan Government Accountability Office says the Trump administration illegally impounded federal funding that had been approved by Congress

Kim Sajet, director of US National Portrait Gallery whom Trump tried to fire, resigns

Sajet said it was “not an easy decision” but “the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart”

National Endowment for the Humanities staff dwindles as two-thirds of workforce laid off

Around 100 workers at the US federal agency were let go on Tuesday, following orders from the Trump administration

Smithsonian asserts authority to make ‘all personnel decisions’ following Trump attempts to fire gallery director

In response to the president’s targeting of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, the organisation has issued a strategically broad statement, touting its independence and governance by a board and secretary

Two US ambassadors have displayed Van Goghs in their London residence—but Donald Trump's pick for the job seems unlikely to follow suit

Winfield House, home to American representatives to the UK, is hidden away in Regent’s Park—and has hosted a series of Vincent’s masterpieces

Art marketanalysis

Amid uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs, many collectors pause purchases while others ‘hold their noses and pay’

The antiques trade and lower- to mid-tier sectors of the art market are waiting for the situation to stabilise, while the most deep-pocketed collectors continue to transact

Leaderscomment

Comment | In the Trump era, LGBTQ+ communities and culture need support

“With the return of an emboldened Trump administration, our communities are facing a sustained campaign of hostility and a chilling rollback of civil rights”

Trump claims he has fired director of US National Portrait Gallery

It is not clear the president has the authority to make staffing decisions for the gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution

Humanities organisations sue Department of Government Efficiency to restore NEH grants

Two humanities organisations have filed a lawsuit against Doge and the National Endowment for the Humanities in an attempt to restore slashed funds

Diaryblog

Is Trump painting an ‘awesome portrait’ or by ‘Tariff Lautrec’?

A new portrait of the US leader, looking defiant following the attempted assassination last year, has drawn, er… mixed responses

SFMOMAnews

SFMoMA lays off 29 employees amid $5m structural deficit

The Bay Area institution announced another round of surprise layoffs in a public letter from the director

Tefaf New York: determination in the face of Trump’s tariff chaos

Following the US president’s on-off tariff confusion last month, the fair’s director sought to reassure exhibitors, despite “significant impacts”

The NEA is on Trump’s chopping block again, amid Doge review

The US president continues to strongarm his way into power over American culture

To make up for NEH grants cancelled by Trump, Mellon Foundation gives $15m to US humanities organisations

The emergency funds will go to humanities councils in all 50 states and six US territories