Smithsonian Institution

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

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

Amy Sherald cancels Smithsonian show over censorship claim

The artist says leaders at the National Portrait Gallery suggested removing her painting of a non-binary transgender person posing as the Statue of Liberty

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”

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

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art repatriates ancient silk manuscript to China

The museum’s fragments of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts were looted from a tomb in Hunan Province and smuggled into the US nearly 80 years ago

Democratic lawmakers urge J.D. Vance to save the Smithsonian from Trump

Four members of the House of Representatives wrote a letter to the US Vice-President to articular their "great concern over [the Smithsonian's] future"

Smithsonian leader: institution will continue to operate ‘free of partisanship’ following Trump attack

Smithsonian secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has affirmed in a memo to staff that the institution will “remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research and the arts to all Americans”

Comment | Scrapping DEI initiatives could damage US museums’ visitor numbers

As art institutions—particularly in Washington, DC—succumb to the White House’s anti-diversity directives, a veteran of the museum world warns of the dangers of giving in to the whims of the Trump administration

Trump aims to remove ‘improper ideology’ from Smithsonian with new executive order

Vice President JD Vance will oversee the removal of “divisive, race-centered ideology” and deny funding to exhibitions that “degrade shared American values”

Trump signs executive order to ‘eliminate’ agency that funds museums and libraries

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is listed alongside six other ‘unnecessary’ organisations

Smithsonian Institution and US National Gallery of Art close diversity offices following President Trump's executive order

A Trump executive order has led the largely government-funded institutions to roll back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

Smithsonian American Art Museum’s director removed following staff complaints

Stephanie Stebich, who had led the institution since 2017, has been reassigned to a senior advisory role

Smithsonian receives $40m from the Lilly Endowment

The money will be used for programming related to the semiquincentennial of the US in 2026

Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino gets $2m donation from PepsiCo

The soft drink company's gift will support the planning, designing and building of the museum's future complex in Washington, DC

US Supreme Court declines to hear case challenging Smithsonian's restitution of Benin Bronzes

A New York-based organisation had sought to block the artefacts’ return to Nigeria

Smithsonian Institution launches $2.5bn fundraising campaign

The campaign, timed to coincide with the semiquincentennial of the United States in 2026, is the most ambitious fundraising undertaking for a cultural organisation on record

Earliest known photograph of a US First Lady acquired by National Portrait Gallery in Washington

The museum recently purchased the 1840s daguerreotype of Dolley Madison at auction

Jewish history museum in Philadelphia would become part of Smithsonian under proposed legislation

A new bill could create a commission to assess the feasibility of adding the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian family

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum opens its first (digital) exhibition

Launching on International Women's Day, 'Becoming Visible' focuses on five historical women whose achievements have been glaringly overlooked

US National Portrait Gallery unveils painting of Oprah Winfrey

The portrait, showing the influential media personality in a striking purple dress, was painted by Chicago artist Shawn Michael Warren

The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum acquired more than 80 works over the past year

Ranging from painting to installation and beyond, the latest additions to the museum's holdings include contemporary voices as well as legends like Nam June Paik and Robert Irwin

Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter's portrait goes on view at National Portrait Gallery

The pastel double-portrait of President Jimmy Carter's recently deceased wife was drawn by Robert Clark Templeton

Federally funded museums in the US brace for government shutdown

The Smithsonian Institution and National Gallery of Art are making plans for continuing operations amid a government shutdown that appears increasingly likely

Jenny Holzer to project quotes about democracy in DC to celebrate Art in Embassies anniversary

The work will appear on the facades of two museums on the Mall, a “very resonant location for democracy in America”