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Marilyn Jackson, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, argues that Americans overwhelmingly trust and support museums, with 96% wanting federal funding maintained or increased. She criticizes the Trump administration's first 100 days for gutting staff and grants at the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other agencies, and for issuing an executive order called 'Restoring Truth' that restricts how museums can portray history, creating fear of retribution for factual research.

Dartmouth Students Renew Calls to Remove Leon Black’s Name From Arts Center

Students at Dartmouth College have intensified their campaign to remove billionaire collector Leon Black’s name from the school’s visual arts center. The renewed push follows the release of Department of Justice files detailing Black’s extensive financial ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including $170 million in payments for tax and estate advice. While Black has denied all allegations of misconduct and his legal team maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities, student leaders are citing the college's recent decision to strip César Chávez’s name from a fellowship as a precedent for moral accountability.

Van Gogh Museum claims it could be ‘forced to close’ amid funding feud with Dutch state

Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum has publicly warned it could be forced to close unless the Dutch government increases its annual subsidy from €8.5m to €11m to fund essential renovations. Director Emilie Gordenker announced the museum cannot guarantee the safety of its collection, visitors, and staff without the additional funding for climate control, elevators, fire safety, security, and sustainability upgrades. The museum has filed a legal complaint against the state, arguing it is in breach of a 1962 agreement that committed the government to fund the museum's construction and maintenance in exchange for the Van Gogh family's collection. The case is set to be heard on 19 February 2026.

lebanese ministry of culture urges unesco to grant enhanced protections to cultural property 1234776038

Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture has formally petitioned UNESCO to secure enhanced protections for the nation’s cultural heritage sites as regional conflict intensifies. Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé urged the UN agency to intervene with belligerent parties to ensure the safety of irreplaceable landmarks, including the National Museum of Beirut and the Roman ruins of Baalbek. UNESCO confirmed it has shared the coordinates of these World Heritage sites with all involved parties to prevent accidental or intentional targeting during military operations.

Israeli Authorities Plan to Seize Major Archaeological Site in West Bank, Sparking Outrage

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Israeli authorities have announced plans to seize a 182-hectare archaeological site in the West Bank town of Sebastia, the largest such land seizure for an archaeological project since 1967. The plan includes building a visitor center, parking lot, and a fence that would separate the site from the Palestinian town, cutting off local access to both the ruins and surrounding olive groves. The move has been denounced by Palestinian residents and officials as an aggression that threatens livelihoods and erases Palestinian identity.