Federal museums in Washington, DC, including the National Gallery of Art and multiple Smithsonian Institution branches, began reopening after the longest US government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday night (12 November). The National Gallery of Art reopened its West Building and sculpture garden on 14 November, with the rest of the campus following on 15 November. Its postponed exhibition *The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art* opened on 15 November instead of 18 October. Three Smithsonian museums reopened on 14 November, five more on 15 November, and all remaining venues—including the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York—by 17 November. The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibition *Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work* was postponed from its original 24 October opening.
Why it matters: The shutdown exposed the vulnerability of major US cultural institutions that rely heavily on federal funding—the Smithsonian receives about 53% of its budget from Congress, and the National Gallery of Art sought over $215 million in government funds for fiscal year 2025. The reopening comes amid political pressure on these museums: both institutions closed diversity offices after an executive order by President Donald Trump, who also targeted the Smithsonian, leading to the resignation of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet. Additionally, the 43-day shutdown delayed the US representation at the 2026 Venice Biennale, with sculptor Alma Allen reportedly selected but no formal announcement made.