IMLS Spared in Legal Battle—But Threat of Budget Cuts Looms

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the American Library Association and the AFSCME union, effectively halting President Donald Trump’s executive attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Following a series of legal defeats where courts ruled that only Congress has the authority to eliminate federal agencies, the administration withdrew its appeal and reinstated previously terminated grants. However, the threat remains as the proposed 2027 federal budget once again seeks to zero out funding for the IMLS, the NEA, and the NEH.

Settlement allows Institute of Museum and Library Services to continue operations

The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have reached a settlement with the Trump administration to restore the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The agreement follows a year-long legal battle sparked by an executive order that placed the agency's entire staff on administrative leave and attempted to dismantle the federal body. The settlement ensures the IMLS can resume awarding grants, conducting research, and operating programs while reversing previous staff terminations and grant cancellations.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Allowed to Operate: Settlement

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has reached a legal settlement allowing it to resume full operations after being targeted for dismantling by a presidential executive order. The agreement, facilitated by a lawsuit from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, reverses planned mass layoffs and the termination of federal grants that support thousands of institutions across the United States.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Saved from Defunding After Legal Challenge

The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to halt the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The agreement ensures the federal agency will continue its operations, reinstates previously terminated grants, and reverses staff reductions. This legal victory follows a period of significant uncertainty where the agency's budget was slated for a 98% reduction, threatening its role as the primary federal supporter of museums and libraries.

‘The extremely happy part of the crowd’: Hungarian arts figures hope for change after 16 years of Orbán rule

The 16-year tenure of Viktor Orbán has come to an end following a landslide victory for Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party in the 2026 Hungarian parliamentary election. The shift in power has sparked widespread celebration among Hungary’s progressive art community, which has long felt stifled by Orbán’s nationalist and socially conservative agenda. Figures from major Budapest galleries and the contemporary art scene report a profound sense of relief, signaling a potential departure from the "illiberal democracy" that dominated the country for nearly two decades.

British Museums Escape Penalizing Law on Memberships

Les musées britanniques échappent à une loi pénalisante sur les adhésions

The British government has officially exempted charitable museum memberships from the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). Originally designed to target predatory subscription models like those used by streaming services, the law would have granted members a 14-day cooling-off period both at sign-up and upon annual renewal. Major institutions like the Tate and the Victoria & Albert Museum feared this would allow visitors to attend major exhibitions for free before canceling their memberships for a full refund.

Construction of White House ballroom must stop, federal judge orders

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a new ballroom at the White House's East Wing, a project initiated by former President Donald Trump. Judge Richard J. Leon's injunction stops all work except for safety and security measures, ruling that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a construction on federal property without explicit approval from Congress.

Canadian foundation with ties to Israel’s biggest real-estate company ceases funding for Toronto Arts Foundation following protests

The Azrieli Foundation, a major Canadian philanthropic organization with ties to Israel's largest real-estate company, has ended its funding agreement with the Toronto Arts Foundation. The decision follows a sustained two-year protest campaign by the group Artists Against Artwashing, which included disruptions at a major Toronto arts event and an open letter signed by over 450 artists and cultural workers.

dc judge orders stop trump ballroom project 1234779631

A U.S. District Court judge has issued a ruling to halt the construction of a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the White House's former East Wing. Judge Richard J. Leon rejected the Trump administration's claims that the President has the unilateral authority to demolish historic structures and build new ones using private funds. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that the project violated federal statutes and disrupted the architectural integrity of the historic site.