The Yale University Art Gallery has withdrawn two federal grant applications submitted to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for an upcoming exhibition on African art exploring the migration of Nguni peoples, scheduled for 2026. The gallery objected to new anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which require that funded projects do not promote certain ideologies based on race or gender. The gallery will instead use Yale University's $46 billion endowment to cover the $200,000 exhibition costs. This follows a previous instance where the gallery opted out of NEA funding, and a separate $30,000 NEA grant for the exhibition "Nusantara: Six Centuries of Indonesian Textile" was rescinded, though that show will proceed with support from the Robert Lehman Endowment Fund.
This decision matters because it highlights a growing conflict between the federal government and cultural institutions over ideological compliance. Since President Trump returned to office in January, his administration has redirected arts funding, cancelled over 560 federal arts grants totaling more than $27 million, and issued executive orders targeting DEI initiatives. The Yale University Art Gallery's choice to forgo federal funds rather than comply sets a precedent that could pressure smaller institutions with less financial flexibility. The article also notes broader repercussions, including the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art shutting down diversity offices, the resignation of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet after Trump attempted to fire her, and artist Amy Sherald canceling a touring exhibition due to disputes over including a painting of a trans figure.