All articles tagged with #museums
Originally Published 3 months ago — by The Guardian
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., have closed due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its third week, affecting federal funding and operations, though animal care continues. The shutdown has led to significant financial and visitor losses, with political disagreements delaying a funding resolution.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by BBC
The US government shutdown starting October 1, 2025, is causing potential disruptions in travel, including longer airport wait times, closed visitor centers at national parks, and uncertain impacts on museums like the Smithsonian, while essential services such as air traffic control and hospitals remain operational.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Axios
President Trump plans to expand his review of American museums for 'woke' ideology beyond the Smithsonian, raising concerns among historians about unprecedented government oversight and potential politicization of cultural institutions. Experts warn that such actions could undermine the independence of museums, distort historical narratives, and lead to censorship, especially as Trump has already targeted funding and personnel at various cultural agencies. Historians emphasize that museums regularly evolve their collections and interpretations, and political interference risks damaging their integrity and educational value.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by NPR
President Trump announced plans to review U.S. museums, starting with the Smithsonian, aiming to remove what he calls 'woke' content, particularly targeting representations of Black history. The move raises concerns about government interference in independent museums and free speech, with legal experts emphasizing the First Amendment protections. The review's scope, timeline, and legal basis remain unclear, but it signals a potential shift in how cultural and historical institutions are managed and funded under his administration.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by NPR
President Trump criticized the Smithsonian and other museums for promoting a 'woke' narrative, planning audits to align exhibits with his views on American exceptionalism, which has sparked concerns about censorship and free speech in cultural institutions.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
The Parthenon museum in Nashville is returning pre-Columbian antiquities to Mexico after their exhibit concludes, reflecting a broader movement among museums worldwide to repatriate looted artifacts.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
A nearly complete Stegosaurus fossil, expected to fetch up to $6 million at Sotheby's auction, has sparked controversy among paleontologists who argue such specimens should be preserved in museums for public education and scientific research. Despite these concerns, the auction will proceed, with the fossil's documentation and sale handled with high standards and transparency.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by KTLA Los Angeles
SoCal Museums is hosting its annual Free-For-All event at over 30 Southern California museums and cultural centers on Saturday, offering free general admission to encourage cultural participation and introduce new audiences to these institutions. The initiative, which started almost 20 years ago, aims to showcase the diverse range of art, heritage, history, and science available in the region. The offer is for general museum admission only and does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Gothamist
Promotional materials for Beyoncé's new country album were projected onto the exteriors of several NYC museums, including the Guggenheim and Whitney, without their authorization. While the Guggenheim denied involvement, Beyoncé shared the GPS coordinates of the museum on her Instagram. The stunt has sparked mixed reactions from fans and the museums, with some feeling it was inappropriate to project ads onto cultural institutions. This isn't the first time Beyoncé has used a cultural institution for promotion, as she previously filmed a music video at the Louvre in Paris.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ARTnews
Promotions for Beyoncé’s upcoming album "Cowboy Carter" were projected onto several museums in New York City, including the Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum, New Museum, and the Museum of Arts and Design. The album, set for release on March 29, features Beyoncé dressed as a rodeo queen and has sparked excitement among fans. While the Guggenheim Museum was not informed about or authorized the activation, Beyoncé's previous album launch involved the Louvre in Paris, and representatives for the other New York museums have not yet commented on the recent projections.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Telegraph
Renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky discusses his career chronicling the environmental impact of heavy industry, emphasizing the importance of capturing the right moment in his work. He acknowledges the anger of climate activists but cautions against a rapid transition from fossil fuels, highlighting the necessity of materials like lithium and copper for alternative energy. Burtynsky's personal history and his views on the commercialism of the art world are also explored, along with his disapproval of protests targeting museums and the challenges cultural institutions face in funding.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Museums across the United States are closing or adapting exhibits featuring Native American artifacts in response to new federal regulations requiring consultation, collaboration, and consent from descendants of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations. The goal is to expedite the return of Native American remains and sacred items to tribes. The American Museum of Natural History in New York is closing two halls featuring Native American objects due to the new regulations, acknowledging the need to change their representation of Indigenous cultures.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
The Musée D'Orsay in Paris has introduced an artificial intelligence (A.I.) replica of Vincent van Gogh that engages in conversations with visitors, offering insights into the artist's life and death. The A.I. Vincent was created using machine learning algorithms that analyzed van Gogh's letters and biographies, with human guidance provided for sensitive topics. The initiative is part of the museum's efforts to stay relevant and generate interest in its 19th-century collection. The A.I. program may also be released on Amazon Alexa and Echo devices in the future. Additionally, van Gogh's paintings have been incorporated into various digital platforms, including a virtual reality experience and the online game Roblox.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Study Finds
A 5-year study conducted by the Association des Médecins francophones du Canada in partnership with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has found that museum visits can promote the recovery and well-being of patients with chronic illnesses, neurological conditions, cognitive disorders, or mental health problems. The study has inspired various museum-based wellness activities, such as museum yoga and guided meditations with works of art. Research in England also suggests that regular visits to cultural venues, including museums, can lower the risk of dementia, depression, and geriatric frailty syndrome. While the physiological response to visual art can lead to reduced stress, further studies are needed to determine the specific effects and active ingredients of art on health.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NPR
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, museums in Israel have been working to protect priceless artifacts and art by moving them into secure bunkers. However, in Gaza, there is little opportunity to safeguard valuable artifacts, as the Israeli military's operations have caused significant damage to cultural landmarks. More than 100 cultural landmarks in Gaza have been seriously affected, including ancient mosques and churches. The Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah has chosen to keep its artifacts on display, despite the risks, while also digitizing them for preservation. The conflict highlights the different realities faced by curators in preserving cultural heritage in the midst of war.