News Summary
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. will close starting October 5 due to the ongoing government shutdown, making it the first major museum in the area to do so. All programming has been canceled until further notice, raising concerns about future exhibitions, including a key showcase of Australian Indigenous art scheduled for later this month. The National Gallery, which relies on federal funding for its budget, is currently facing uncertainty as other federally funded arts organizations may also be impacted.
Washington, D.C. – The National Gallery of Art will temporarily close starting October 5, 2023, due to the ongoing government shutdown. This closure includes the cancellation of all programs until further notice, making it the first major museum in the D.C. area to shut its doors because of the stalled federal funding.
The length of the shutdown remains unclear. In the past, such an event has lasted for extended periods, with the previous government shutdown enduring for 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. During past shutdowns, many Smithsonian Institute employees, which oversees multiple museums in D.C., faced unpaid leave, causing concern about potential financial impacts on workers and associated programs.
The Smithsonian Institution is currently utilizing its own funds to keep its facilities open at least until October 6, amid the uncertainty of future funding. However, should the shutdown continue, the National Gallery could face interruptions in its future programming. Notably, the gallery is set to showcase the largest survey of Australian Indigenous art ever presented outside Australia on October 18. This exhibition will feature 200 artworks on loan from the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and despite the ongoing uncertainty, it is still expected to proceed as scheduled.
The National Gallery’s operational budget stems from a blend of private donations and federal funding, with over $215 million sought in congressional funding requests for the fiscal year 2025. In contrast, the Smithsonian Institution’s budget comprises approximately 53% from congressional appropriations—roughly $1.09 billion slated for the fiscal year 2024.
The National Gallery has also felt the ramifications of previous governmental policies, particularly those from the former administration which led to scrutiny and reviews of programming. Under former President Trump, significant changes occurred within the Smithsonian, including a winding down of diversity programs after an executive order. This shift in focus led to increased calls for reviews and reductions in certain initiatives across the institution.
Other federally funded arts organizations, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, may also experience impacts if the shutdown continues. Additionally, the Institute of Museum and Library Services will face limited staffing levels during this period, further complicating the operational landscape for federally supported institutions.
The current situation at the National Gallery of Art highlights the potential ramifications of government actions on cultural institutions, underscoring the importance of stable funding for the arts and the vital role such institutions play in the community. As shutdowns can lead to disrupted schedules and uncertainty for upcoming exhibitions, the arts community is left navigating a challenging environment as it strives to maintain its offerings in the face of financial unpredictability.
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Additional Resources
- ARTnews
- The Art Newspaper
- Hyperallergic
- DC News Now
- Washington Post
- Wikipedia: National Gallery of Art
- Google Search: government shutdown impact on museums
- Google Scholar: National Gallery of Art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Gallery of Art
- Google News: National Gallery of Art
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
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