Art News. Vasari Codex

article policy schedule Oct 3, 2025 visibility 15 link 3 artists

Former MoMA chief voices concern for future of non-profit US museums

Glenn Lowry, the influential former director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, expressed deep concern that non-profit U.S. museums could lose their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status under the Trump administration. Speaking on the podcast "The Art World: What If…?!" hosted by Charlotte Burns, Lowry warned that the federal government is prepared to exert significant power to achieve its ambitions, potentially revoking the tax exemption that he calls the "magic wand" behind America's robust cultural programming. His comments follow a House bill passed in November that would allow the Treasury Secretary broad powers to revoke non-profit status, though the bill has stalled in the Senate.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article policy schedule Jul 24, 2025 visibility 16 link 3 artists

American Museum of Natural History announces free admission for low-income New Yorkers

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City has launched the Discoverer program, offering free admission and educational programming to low-income New Yorkers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The program, developed with NYC's Department of Cultural Affairs and Human Resources Administration, allows SNAP beneficiaries to bring up to four guests and reserve advance tickets online, with membership renewable annually. Nearly 1.8 million city residents rely on SNAP, and the initiative aims to remove financial barriers to museum access.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article policy schedule Jun 26, 2025 visibility 20 link 6 artists

Tate launches US-style endowment fund, with aim of raising £150m by 2030

Tate has launched the Tate Future Fund, a US-style endowment fund aiming to raise £150 million by 2030 to secure its long-term financial future. More than £43 million has already been raised, announced at a fundraising gala in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall marking the museum's 25th anniversary, attended by artists Steve McQueen and Tracey Emin. Tate director Maria Balshaw explained that the fund will sit separately, managed by the Tate Foundation, with only the interest drawn annually to support artistic creativity, groundbreaking exhibitions, collection building, research, and public benefit programs like school and family learning.

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article policy schedule May 7, 2026 visibility 25

No money, more problems: 85% of US museums in urgent need of building repairs

A recent survey by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that approximately 85% of US museums face a costly backlog of maintenance or building repairs, with 77% having at least one structural issue that puts their collections at risk. Based on a survey of around 300 museums and 17 site visits, the report reveals that institutions across the country struggle to keep buildings updated and safe due to a lack of funding, with challenges especially pronounced in rural and remote locations where shipping materials and finding skilled workers is prohibitively expensive. Many museums are housed in historic homes or sites that are part of their collections, adding further complexity, and smaller museums often lack the budget to address major problems like new roofs or HVAC systems.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article policy schedule May 8, 2026 visibility 19

85% of All US Museums Need Repairs, Study Finds

A March survey by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 85% of all US museums need repairs, with 77% having at least one structural issue endangering their collections. Federal funding does not cover construction-related expenses, and 73% of the roughly 11,900 museums surveyed reported building system or facility problems posing health or safety risks. The American Alliance of Museums noted the data aligns with years of reports from museums struggling with aging infrastructure and unpredictable funding.

newspaper Artforum open_in_new Read original

article policy schedule Jan 26, 2026 visibility 16 link 2 artists

Persistent low attendance and funding cuts are forcing US museums to think local

A federal judge ruled on December 3 that all grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) must be reinstated, offering relief to museum directors like Scott Stulen of the Seattle Art Museum, which lost $300,000–$400,000 in annual federal funding in 2025. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) survey of 511 directors found that over half reported fewer visitors than in 2019, with 29% citing declines tied to weakened travel and economic uncertainty. However, some museums like the Toledo Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago have seen local attendance rise, offsetting losses in international tourism.

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article policy schedule Aug 22, 2025 visibility 11

mutter museum philadelphia new policy human remains

The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, a medical history institution that has faced controversy over its handling of human remains, announced a new policy on August 19 for exhibiting its collection. The policy shifts focus toward the lives of patients and changes in medical history, developed through the two-year Postmortem Project involving focus groups and public meetings. The announcement follows backlash after former executive director Kate Quinn removed online exhibits in June 2023 as part of an ethical review, and subsequent staff departures.

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