Hyperallergic compiled a list of notable April Fools' Day pranks executed by major arts and cultural institutions in 2025. The jokes included the Morgan Library and Museum pretending to give its ornate interior a cheap "Landlord Special" makeover, the New York Public Library announcing it would replace its iconic lion statues with beaver sculptures, and the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden proposing a whimsical, amusement park-style tunnel connecting their campuses.
These satirical posts matter because they reveal how high-profile institutions use humor to engage with the public and critique their own sectors. The annual tradition allows museums, libraries, and foundations to poke fun at art world tropes, administrative bureaucracy, and architectural trends, fostering a sense of relatability and self-awareness while providing a lighthearted commentary on contemporary cultural issues.