US politics
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
Miami arts organisations face existential crisis amid funding collapse
Cuts in federal, state and county funding—sometimes to nil—are pushing South Florida’s arts ecosystem to the brink
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
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
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
Foundations' emergency arts and humanities grants provide temporary fix for gaps left by Trump’s slashing of federal funding
Staff reductions, budget cuts and grant cancellations at the NEA, NEH and IMLS have left state and local organisations seeking alternative support
US participation in 2026 Venice Biennale in limbo amid Trump's arts defunding
The administration's delays and disavowal of diversity initiatives have put the US Pavilion at the world's biggest biennial behind schedule
Comment | Losing federal funding for emergency heritage conservation in the US is a disaster
The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation’s National Heritage Responders programme has channelled federal funding and support from local organisations to help communities struck by natural disasters to preserve their culture
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
Art trade seeks answers on when, where and how Trump’s tariffs could hit
Collectors are cancelling purchases from and travel to the US, auction houses are rescheduling sales and uncertainty reigns
‘It’s much more extreme’: US institutions and artists enter a new culture war
The Trump administration’s efforts to slash funding and influence programming have pushed cultural workers to organise
Trump’s Garden of American Heroes seeks artists for its 250 statues
Meanwhile, Americans of all political stripes disapprove of the president’s cultural takeover while Max Hollein says Trump’s new anti-DEI rules “do not apply” to the Met
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"
Trump administration will use humanities grant money to build patriotic sculpture park
Funds from cancelled National Endowment for the Humanities grants will help realise one of the US president’s pet projects
Union and association representing museum and library workers sue Trump administration
The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are suing to block the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Gallery of Art marking 250th anniversary of US with loans to ten museums across the country
The initiative, already underway and continuing through May 2026, comes as the Trump administration has pressured arts funders and institutions to prioritise semiquincentennial projects
‘We are in uncharted territory’: Trump’s tariffs scramble art trade
There is widespread confusion about whether or not new US tariffs—and those imposed by trading partners in retaliation—apply to art and antiques
Trump administration sued by 21 states' attorneys general for trying to eliminate Institute of Museum and Library Services
The agency has placed 85% of its employees on administrative leave
National Endowment for the Humanities cancels grants as Trump administration redirects agency’s resources
State humanities councils and other grantees received notices from the NEH and Doge this week that their grants were being cancelled immediately
‘We cannot remain silent’: Museums in Los Angeles brace for Trump’s immigration crackdown
Faced with anti-immigrant policies, institutional leaders are providing “know your rights” guidance
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”
‘We can’t predict the future or what will happen’: Trump’s slashing of US foreign aid hits heritage conservation
Restoration and preservation projects in countries from Sierra Leone to Ukraine are now at risk following US government’s sudden cuts to aid funding