The recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump mandating federal agencies to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs has sent shockwaves throughout the arts and cultural sector. Institutions are now faced with the daunting task of either rolling back their initiatives or determining whether they are compliant with the new directives, which equate diversity efforts with discrimination.
One of the most notable responses to Trump’s mandate came from the Smithsonian Institution, which decided to close its diversity office and remove all references to DEI initiatives from its website. This included scrubbing the webpage for the diversity and equity commitments of its Smithsonian Affiliations program. The institution, which oversees 21 museums, also changed the title of its head diversity officer to “director of the Office of Visitor Accessibility.”
Following suit, the National Gallery of Art announced the closure of its Office of Belonging and Inclusion and removed all DEI language from its website. The Biden Administration’s executive order directing agencies to create Equity Action Plans has effectively been undone by these actions.
In response to the White House’s crackdown on DEI, many museums across the United States are grappling with uncertainty and lack of clarity on how to proceed. Institutions like the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston are still assessing the potential impact of the executive order on their operations.
The administration’s anti-DEI stance could also have repercussions for museums receiving federal funding, especially after the now-rescinded Office of Management and Budget memorandum temporarily froze all federal financial assistance. Nonprofit museums were already on edge due to the House of Representatives passing the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, which targets organizations’ tax-exempt status.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has removed its Equity Action Plan from its website in response to the executive order. However, the agency continues to review the recent executive orders and related documents to ensure compliance.
Despite the rollbacks at the Smithsonian and NGA, some institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit (MOCAD), the Getty, and the High Museum have affirmed their commitment to DEI initiatives. Privately funded nonprofit museums appear to be unaffected by the executive order.
As the arts sector grapples with the implications of Trump’s executive order, there is still uncertainty surrounding its scope and legality. ReNika Moore of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program emphasized that no court has declared DEI efforts inherently illegal, and President Trump cannot override decades of legal precedent.
Funding restrictions from the NEA could also impact other grant-giving organizations, as the agency designates 40% of its grantmaking budget for state and regional arts agencies. The National Assembly of State Art Agencies is seeking further clarity on how to navigate past the funding freeze in service to their communities.
In conclusion, the arts and cultural sector faces a period of uncertainty and upheaval as institutions grapple with the consequences of Trump’s executive order on DEI programs. The future remains uncertain, but the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts must remain steadfast.
