The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. has closed indefinitely following the federal government shutdown, suspending all exhibitions and programs. This closure represents more than an economic precaution; it reflects the growing political and ideological pressure faced by American art institutions under the Trump administration’s cultural policies, budget cuts, and increased oversight.
The museum announced on October 1 that it would close its doors, stating, “The National Gallery is temporarily closed, and all programs are canceled until further notice.” The budget deadlock in Congress between Republicans and Democrats over spending and healthcare has not only affected public services but also major cultural institutions.
In 2023, the National Gallery welcomed 3.8 million visitors, surpassing New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to become the most visited art museum in the United States. The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees 21 museums and the National Zoo, will remain open only until October 11 using leftover funds from the previous fiscal year. If no budget agreement is reached by then, the Smithsonian will also close to the public.
The closure of the National Gallery highlights a deeper cultural and political transformation during Trump’s second term. Since returning to office in January, Trump has signed more than 150 executive orders and established the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), which has significantly reduced funding for cultural agencies such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Federal oversight of publicly funded museums and archives has also intensified. In August, the Smithsonian’s Latino exhibition ¡Presente! was quietly closed, and artist Amy Sherald canceled her exhibition at the institution after reporting interference with her work.
In September, Trump ordered the removal of historical materials related to slavery from national parks. Later that month, a federal court struck down the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) directive prohibiting funding for projects deemed to “promote gender ideology,” ruling it unconstitutional.
These developments reveal that American cultural institutions are facing not only financial difficulties but also ideological constraints. In a period when museums, artists, and cultural producers are being pressured into so-called neutrality—a form of censorship—the indefinite closure of the National Gallery of Art stands as a symbolic turning point for artistic freedom in the United States.
