Arts Funding Cuts Threaten Museums and Youth Programs Across the US
A wave of funding cuts is impacting museums and cultural institutions across the United States, raising concerns about their ability to serve the public and preserve national heritage. The cuts, largely attributed to policies enacted under the Trump administration, are forcing institutions to make difficult choices, including reducing youth programs, selling artwork, and even considering closure.
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) reported late last year that recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic was not only stalling but reversing for many institutions. Natanya Khashan, associate vice-president of marketing and digital experience at the AAM, noted the precarious financial situation facing museums nationwide.
The impact is being felt acutely in communities reliant on museum-led educational initiatives. In San Luis Obispo County, California, youth art programs are facing elimination due to the loss of federal funding. The grant money would have subsidized art programs in local schools and increased student access to the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.
The cuts extend beyond local programs, impacting significant research projects. The Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, California, has lost nine grants totaling $6 million as a result of the funding reductions. This includes a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation for “tappenekšekma,” a groundbreaking project aimed at creating the first Ohlone interactive science exhibition. The project, scheduled for completion in 2026, brings together Ohlone youth, elders, and activists to illustrate Ohlone expertise in areas like tule boat engineering and acorn processing through mixed-reality exhibits. Kimiko Ryokai, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley, has been involved in the project, focusing on creating a sense of “rightful presence” for Ohlone youth through the exhibits.
The cuts are part of a broader pattern of reduced support for arts and cultural organizations. In 2025, then-President Trump significantly reduced funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which administers approximately $160 million in grants across all 50 states. This action followed a pattern of prioritizing different areas of spending, leading to a decline in resources for cultural institutions.
The financial strain is forcing museums to adapt in unprecedented ways. Some, like the Rubin Museum of Art in New York, are exploring alternative models, such as becoming “museums without walls” by loaning out collections and organizing traveling exhibits. Others are being forced to close educational programs or, in the case of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, even shuttering entire college departments.
The situation has also created an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship within the museum community. According to reports, museum directors and donors are increasingly concerned about potential repercussions from the administration, leading to a reluctance to engage in projects that might be perceived as critical of current policies. One museum professional, quoted anonymously in a report from January 2026, stated, “Museums are focused on their mission and the public trust and they have been since the 1880s. They are not used to having to think about one individual who’s the president.”
A 2024 survey indicated that nearly a third of all American museums were at risk of closure due to funding issues and sustainability concerns. While many museums managed to survive the initial impact of the pandemic by utilizing federal grants and reserve funds, the long-term effects of the funding cuts are now becoming increasingly apparent. Institutions have been forced to sell artwork and restructure their funding models to remain operational, but the future remains uncertain for many.
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, the fate of these institutions – vital repositories of the nation’s history and culture – hangs in the balance.
